André Dunoyer de Segonzac

A prolific original printmaker, André Dunoyer de Segonzac developed a light and Impressionistic handling of fine line. His earliest experiments in etching date from 1919 and he was first introduced to engraving techniques by J.E. Labourer. Dunoyer de Segonzac found his inspiration in the local landscapes of Provence, where he lived for many years. In particular, the port and old town of St. Tropez, on the Côte d'Azur, was one of his favourite locations. At this time this picturesque old town was still a place of local enchantment, prior to becoming the focal point of the Meditteranean coastline.

Dunoyer de Segonzac was essentially a Realist in his approach to depicting nature - an artist of exceptional fluency who sketched his work directly from nature on to the copper plate. In this respect he followed in the traditions of the Barbizon School, as is apparent from the marvellous plein air spaciousness of his landscape works. His masterly manipulation of line and extraordinary simplicity of composition allowed him to introduce an Impressionistic handling of light into his etched works. However, most impressive of all is his use of selective areas of freely applied local colour through which he achieved the spontaneous effect of his watercolour paintings in his sole original colour print of Saint Tropez.

An artist who developed a particularly distinct personal style, Dunoyer de Segonzac is considered to have been one of the finest French landscape printmakers of the twentieth-century. [more]