This lovely oil on canvas painting has two sides - one is a portrait of a bearded man, the other is a still life. The painting is attributed to Marcel Arnaud (1877-1956).
In 1895, Marcel Arnaud moved to Paris, where he worked on theater decorations and studied old masters at the Louvre. He met sculptor Antoine Bourdelle and painter Paul Cézanne in Paris and Marseille, respectively, and painted several works in Cézanne's presence. After returning to Marseille and marrying in 1904, Arnaud exhibited in various regional salons and with painter Jean-Baptiste Olive. In 1914, he was appointed professor at the École des Beaux-Arts in Aix-en-Provence and served as its director from 1917 to 1946. During this time, he refused to sell all his existing works to the famous art dealer Ambroise Vollard, a decision supported by his friend John Rewald. Rewald noted that Arnaud continued Cézanne's artistic legacy. Their extensive correspondence was also held by Rewald. Arnaud also served as the curator of the Granet Museum in Aix-en-Provence from 1926 to 1947. In 1953-1954, he painted a series of works in Évian overlooking Geneva. He exhibited in Marseille and Aix-en-Provence until his death in 1956 and was buried in the Saint-Pierre Cemetery in Aix-en-Provence, the same place as Paul Cézanne. Marcel Arnaud was a Knight of the Legion of Honor.
Condition and wear consistent with age and use.
Approx. overall 20¾" high x 17¼" x 2¼"
Approx. overall 53cm high x 44cm x 6cm
