LESBROS Alfred (1873-1940) 

"Park Avenue at Pontmartin"

Oil on canvas, 
Signed with the studio stamp lower left, 
Titled and studio number on the reverse of the canvas, 
Stamp from the sale of the artist's studio in 2006 at Drouot, 

Provenance: Sale of the artist's studio on May 10, 2006 at Millon et Associés in Paris, then private collection. 

A beautiful work with strong contrasts by the Avignon painter Alfred Lesbros, depicting a view of the park at Pontmartin in Les Angles (Gard), owned by his friend, the painter Louis Montagné. 
The artist uses a palette of luminous and pure colors, which lends expressiveness to his work. The forms are simplified, the brushstrokes are free; Alfred Lesbros strives to represent the essential in a concise manner. 

Anticipating his military service, he took advantage of five years to complete his training at the École des Beaux-Arts in Montpellier and the École de Dessin in Mende. 
In 1896, he married and settled in Avignon, where his parents had bought him a glassmaking business. He set up his large studio in the attic. He met Pierre Grivolas, who took him to paint landscapes outdoors with his students: Meissonnier, Belladone, Flour, Bergier, and Hurard. 
He participated in exhibitions in Avignon, at the Salon des Indépendants from 1908 to 1928, the Salon d'Automne from 1922 to 1924, and the Salon du Sud-Est in Lyon from 1922 to 1933. 
In 1912, he was one of the founders of the Groupe des Treize (Group of Thirteen). The first exhibition, that same year, was a great success, followed by a second in 1913. 
He was influenced by the artistic movements of the early 20th century, from Impressionism to Cubism, which he translated onto his canvases with his personal touch. 

Shortly before the First World War, Braque and Picasso, who had settled in Avignon, met with local artists and shared their research. Alfred Lesbros began working with stencils from 1916 to 1926. While continuing to paint landscapes, he also turned to decorative art, producing affordable prints. 

From the 1930s onward, the artist embarked on an expressionist period. Admiring Matisse, he moved towards Fauvism and colorful periods characterized by alternating white and black outlines. 
In 1931-1932, he founded an academy with painters Auguste Chabaud and Charles Chartier: the Groupe des Peintres Indépendants d'Avignon (Group of Independent Painters of Avignon), which provided opportunities for young talent. 

His works are held in the museums of Montpellier, Avignon, Marseille, Arles, and Aix-en-Provence. 

Note: Old, inconsequential restorations are visible on the back of the canvas. 

Dimensions: 53 x 72.5 cm unframed and 71.5 x 90.5 cm with its modern carved and gilded wooden frame. 

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