"The Great View of Venice"
Antoine Bouvard Snr. (French, 1875-1955)
Oil on canvas, original, gilt wood frame,
Signed, lower right
20 3/4 x 28 1/2 (28 1/2 x 37 frame) inches
Signed lower right
Antoine Bouvard was one of the most prolific artists in the genre of Venice paintings from this early part of the 20th century. In Bouvard’s works, one will find large and confidently painted pictures which capture all the ambiance and charm of one of the most beautiful cities in the world. He exhibited throughout France and Italy as well as in many provincial European galleries during his own life. His popularity has continued to the present day, placing him among the most recognized and respected painters of Venetian subjects.
This is one of the finest examples of Bouvard’s works that we have come across. This is a highly refined view of Venice and its lagoon, crisscrossed by gondolas and sailboats gliding near a palace animated by celebrating characters, the whole inscribed on the horizon of the majestic city. Beautiful period frame in gilded wood bearing the artist's cartouche. The whole executed with delicacy and fluidity of color, capturing the warmth and beauty.
Marc Aldine /Antoine Bouvard (1870-1956): Eloi Noel Beraud (as he was christened) was born on December 26, 1875, in Saint-Étienne. The civil status declared "Éloi-Noël Isadore Béraud born of unknown parents".
Beginning his studies as an architect, Bouvard changed paths, training at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in St. Étienne and established himself as an artist, painting canvases in the Barbizon style well as many scenes typical of the Art Nouveau period. At that time, he frequently used watercolor and gouache, techniques he abandoned in the late 1920's. He also worked as a graphic designer, producing designs for Galerie Lafayette and for Markovich cigarettes. Additionally, Bouvard created postcards for the British market. This work greatly contributed to his reputation in England.
After the war in 1919 he moved to Paris, eventually establishing a studio in a large house at Val d’Oise in 1924. Bouvard would work in his atelier tirelessly from 7am until 8pm.
In April 1930 he set off to discover Venice. The effect is instantaneous; the beauty of the site subdued him and from thenceforth he dedicated his life to painting only Venice. In May of 1930 he met Rubens Santoro (1859-1942). At that time, he was at the peak of his glory he showed Eloi the special light of the City of the Doges, the sparkling and so impressionistic reflections of the water flowing between the canals, all the variations of brown, ochre, white or brown that formed the tones of the facades of the Venetian houses. For nearly two months, the men never leave each other’s sides. Eloi found his Master.
Bouvard’s paintings show the influence of the French artist Felix Ziem and exhibit a unique understanding of the unique light of Venice.
On his return back to Paris, Eloi went through Nice to present his barely dry paintings to Morscio, a gallerist of Italian origin. The gallery owner, very enthusiastic, immediately signed a contract to represent Bouvard. Whilst he had found great success with his previous works that were signed Béraud, Pelletier or Luda, Morscio had the idea of a pseudonym more commercial and Italian-sounding: “Marc Aldine.” This signature was to become one of the two pseudonyms he now put on all his paintings until the end of his career.
The second pseudonym appeared at the end of the 1930s, at the request of the English Whitgift Galleries who, to distinguish his canvases of those for Morscio, it is decided that those paintings will be signed “Bouvard,” a French name that would be more pleasing to the British market. From the beginning of his collaboration with Morscio and Whitgift Galleries, and until the end of his career, Eloi-Noël now only painted views of Venice signed Marc Aldine or Bouvard.
Bouvard returned to Venice many times during the following years and specialized in painting Venetian views, for which he is justly famous.
His popularity has continued to the present day, placing him among the most recognized and respected painters of Venetian subjects. His paintings are to be found in collections throughout the world, as far afield as Japan and the United States of America.