Pierre Montezin (1874-1946)
Pierre-Eugene Montézin was born in 1874 in Paris. His father was a lace draftsman who sparked his son’s interest in the arts by entering him in a decorative atelier where he was intended to learn the art of executing decorative murals. He was, in addition, a lover of nature who took his young son on expeditions to the country.
A highly acclaimed artist of the French school, Pierre Montezin painted landscapes, figures, and still lifes. He worked with oils, pastels, and gouache, all of which are well suited to his rather impressionistic style with his extremely painterly brushwork. His paintings depict the farmers who live and work in the fields.
Around the year 1903, Montezin befriended Ernest Quost, who made him focus seriously on his drawing skills and at the same time bestowed him with a real taste for the fine art of painting. It was in this same year as well that he was finally allowed to exhibit his work at the Salon des Artistes Francais after a ten-year pursuit. Seeking a greater audience for his canvases, he took part in an exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool in 1906.
During the course of his lifetime, Montezin received almost constant recognition for his work as a painter. He was awarded with the third place medal in 1907, the second place medal in 1910, and the Rosa Bonheur Prize in 1920. In 1923, he was made a Chevalier de la Legion d’Honeur. In 1940, he was elected a member of the Beaux Arts Academy, taking the seat of the famed Vuillard. In addition, he was made a member of the jury of the Salon des Artistes Francais after having received the Medal of Honor from that revered institution. Montezin’s paintings continue to be highly regarded to this day, finding their way into both public and private collections around the globe.
Museum Collections Include: Kunsthalle Museum, Germany; Musee d’Art Moderne de la Ville, Paris; Musee du Petit Palais, Paris
Source: Anderson Galleries, Inc
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