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Set of 6 watercolors signed Paul Avril * representing countryside or seaside landscapes: in Saint Amant (x2), Martigues, Hendaye, Boissy le Châtel and Le Croisic, a watercolor dated 1888, vintage late 19th century.
These watercolors are in good condition. The frame is damaged. All watercolors are signed.
A note: accidents and losses on the frame, some stains on the Marie-Louis, tiny stains and yellowing on the watercolors, see photos.
better known under the pseudonym Paul Avril (1849-1928) is a painter and blackfoot printmaker, best known for his erotic illustrations. Son of gendarmerie colonel François-Joseph Avril (1795-1857), officer of the Legion of Honor, Édouard-Henri Avril, was a very young fatherless child and himself became an officer. Sub-lieutenant in the 51st line infantry regiment, he fought during the Franco-German war of 1870, at the end of which he was decorated with the Legion of Honor on May 31, 1871 at the age of 21 and retired for injuries a few months later on January 23, 1872. A young retiree in search of a new vocation, he devoted himself to the study of art at various Parisian salons. From 1874 to 1878, he studied at the Beaux-Arts in Paris. Subsequently, he was contacted to illustrate Théophile Gautier's short story Fortunio. On this occasion, he adopted the pseudonym "Paul Avril". He thus made himself a reputation and received new contracts to illustrate important authors of so-called “gallant” literature. These books were generally sold in small editions on a subscription basis.
Artist referenced Bénézit and well listed on Artprice.
