Background

Henri-Jean Guillaume Martin was born on August 5, 1860 in Toulouse to a French cabinet maker and a mother of Italian descent.

Education

Henri studied at the Toulouse School of the Fine Arts under Jules Garipuy. In 1879, Martin relocated to Paris and with the help of a scholarship, was able to study in Jean-Paul Laurens' studio.

Career

Martin was awarded a scholarship for a tour in Italy, where he studied the work of veterans such as Giotto and Masaccio. His 1889 canvas submission to the Salon earned him the gold medal for work that has been described as Pointillist. During this period, he became friends with Auguste Rodin.

Although Martin's work as a neo-impressionist is not considered groundbreaking, his work was rather well-received, and has been associated with world-class symbolist painter, Puvis de Chavannes.

Due to his introverted temperament, Martin decided to move away from Paris. After a decade of searching for an ideal home, Martin bought Marquayrol, a mansion overlooking La Bastide du Vert, near Cahors. He performed his best work in the new tranquil environment, and died there in 1943.

Martin also taught; among his pupils was the American painter Nellie Ellen Shepherd.

Achievements

• In 1883, Martin received a medal at the Paris Salon, and in 1900 was awarded the Grand Prize for his work at the World Fair. His works are in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, the San Diego Museum of Art, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid, among others.

Works

More photos

• painting

  • A Boy with Sailboats

  • A Garden in the Sunshine

  • Banks of the Garonne

  • Church by the River

    1921

  • Fountain in Labastide du Vert

    1923

  • Garden of Luxembourg

    1931

  • In Flowers

  • In the Garden

    1904

  • Labastide du Vert - Morning Effect

  • My House

  • Saint Cirq Lapopie

    1929

  • Self Portrait

  • Self Portrait in the Garden

  • The Blue Dress

    1917

  • The Bridge at Labastide du Vert

  • The Bridge at Labastide du Vert in Spring

    1911

  • The Church at Labastide

  • The Harvest

    1895

  • The Lovers

  • View of the Terrasse de Marquayrol, Labastide du Vert

    1935

Membership

In 1889 he became a member of the Legion of Honour.

Personality

Henri was an introvert.

Connections

Friend:

Auguste Rodin

References

• Martin