Luigi Loir (French, 1845-1916)

Born in Goritz, Austria of French parents, Luigi Loir's artistic training began at the age of eight at the Academy of Fine Arts in Parma. Ten years later Loir moved to Paris to work in the atelier of painter/decorator Pastelot. The young man won immediate recognition for his decorative works first exhibited in the Salon of 1865. From the 1870's onwards, however, he devoted himself mainly to scenes of Parisien life. It was even said that "Jean Béraud peint les Parisiens de Paris et Luigi Loir le Paris de Parisiens". But Loir painted more than just Paris. The artist travelled widely throughout France, from coastal towns to the provinces, always rendering his landscapes with an attention to detail and a fascination with light. "...Il y a en lui du dilettantisme de promeneur et du receuillement de poéte. On sent que toute ses impressions sont réelles et qu'il ne les a peintes que sous le charme" With regard to this series of gouaches, it would be impossible to ignore the impact that commercial photography must have had on the artist. The second half of the 19th century saw the development of picture taking. Familiar landscapes, towns, villages, landmarks old and new were recorded with no other purpose than their sale to tourists. Picture-postcards were published and distributed by the tens of thousands and would not have escaped the artist's observant eye. In more than one small scale painting Loir actually traced in borders and printed titles in imitation of typeface exactly as the publishing companies printed them onto every card they made. The great difference with this painter is of course, if not the view, then the magic of colour and light. "..C'est un plaisir por l'oreil que d'admirer les mille nuances de ce coloris, les lumières lactées de son pinceau. En cela il est un peu parent de Whistler..." Figures Contemporaines, tirées de l'Album Mariani, text by J. Uzanne, Paris, H. Fleury, Vol. II, 1896-1908

Details

Luigi Loir (French, 1845-1916)

La Plage à Deauville

signed 'Loir/Luigi' lower right--pencil and watercolor on card
4 3/8 x 6¼in. (11 x 15.5cm.) unframed

Lot Essay

This Norman coastal town was already a popular resort by the 1830's. It was first launched by the duc de Morny (1811-1865) - the illigitimate son of Queen Hortense and the Count of Flahaut - who was responsible for the building of both the boardwalk and the racecourse. The proximity to Paris and the arrival of the English in the 1860's, coupled with the involvement of the financier Donan, insured its continuing success amongst the elegant society of the time and their painters. Loir gives us the Sunday on the beach with flags fluttering in the wind and the rooftops of the Casino glistening in the sun.