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Henri Moret (1856–1913)

The French artist, Henri Moret was a member of the Independants and a pupil of Carolles and of J.P Laurens. He combined coloring of almost “Fauve” intensity and daring with traditional vision of form. During his lifetime, especially in the years following his debut at the Salon de Paris in 1880, Moret preferred to live in virtual solitude.  Having once broken away from the academic teaching of most art professors in Paris during the early eighties, he preferred to isolated himself in the quiet areas of Brittany and devote himself entirely to painting and experimenting with new ways to translate the beauty of nature to canvas.

He cared nothing for fame or personal agrandissement and made no effort to bring his work to public attention.  He was completely content to have the days and years go by with no thought of anything else than complete absorption in panting

Born in Cherbourg on December 12, 1856, Moret was actually of Normandy by birth and inheritance. Yet it was in Brittany where he found himself and it was Brittany that he often painted. In fact it has been said that “Henri Moret is completely Brittany and Brittany is completely Henri Moret.”  He has painted scenes of the Island of Groix, of the Belle Isle and of the wild and devastated “Pointe du Raz”

In 1880, at the age of 24, his paintings were selected for exhibition in the Paris Salon of that year which was recognition of his maturity as a painter. Yet he was not satisfied and knew that in Paris he would not find the stimulus necessary for what h wanted to accomplish.

After making his decision to break away from established standards, he left for Paris for good in search of a place and a means for developing his own free and unrestricted solution of expressing his emotions and attitudes as an artist

In 1882, Henri Moret joined by Alfred Sisley left Brittany to go to the south of France where they worked together on an exhibition. Sisal was a great believer in the work of Moret and can say that they had a tremendous influence o upon each other.

Later on, he allied with the group of young painters two had gathered around Gauguin at Pont Aven. The same revolutionary spirit and search for freedom of style had motivated the majority of the group and the period Moret spent with them could well be considered his first step toward the development of his characteristic style, as we know it today.

From Pont Aven the next explored along the coast going to Belle Isle and then to Groix. He discovered a world which was one constant inspiration . The always-changing moods of the sea at one time rough and stormy at another time gentle and serene.

Also the myriad nuances of color changing in accordance with the atmospheric effect from brilliant sunshine to foggy, misty days. The picturesque world of country people of sardine fisherman and their color full fishing boats in a setting of landscape and sea all formed a virtual paradise for his sensitive searching artist’s eye.

In this setting of the out of doors and in his life of great simplicity close to nature, Moret developed a style of painting which is often reminiscent of Monet in its poetic beauty but is always completely his own.

As one studies Moret ‘s work today it is difficult for us to remember that during his lifetime Impressinism was a radical new form of paintings. His painting is so beautiful, so sensitive and so expressive that it so hard to realize that not too long ago they would be considered revolutionary. Not only are his subjects beautiful in their entirety but also fascinating to study purely from the standpoint of how Moret f applied his pigment and building up shimmered passages of color against color

There is strength and solidity in Moret ‘s work and also a delicacy of handling which make them more a joy on close examination when seen from a distance.

The twentieth century international art world is taking ever-increasing interest in the work of Moret and already concerted efforts are being made already by collectors to seek out paintings. As indication of his contribution to the art of Impressionist period.