Henri Jean Guillaume Martin

Galerie Félix Vercel, Paris
Private collection, Caracas, acquired from the above on May 25, 1971
Thence by descent to the present owner

Paris, Galerie Félix Vercel, Félix Vercel présente quelques signatures, 1971, no. 4, illustrated in the catalogue

The medium is oil on canvas, the canvas is lined with a very sympathetic thin canvas liner. The work is very good overall condition. The artist has left some of the canvas bare and visible throughout. There is good dimension retained in the paint. There are some areas of extremely minor cracquelure. There is no apparent inpainting when viewed under UV.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The present work was painted in the garden of Henri Martin’s home in the Lot region of South-West France. Martin acquired the eighteenth century property called Marquayrol in 1900. It lies in the verdant valley of Labastide-du-Vert, and was known to locals as La maison sur le rocher, or the House on the Hill. The acquisition of Marquayrol marked a change in the artist’s approach to painting. Indeed, one can identify the beginnings of his Impressionist period at just about the same time that he delved into country life after living and working in industrialized Paris. Marquayrol and the surrounding landscape provided a perfect setting to experiment with his new technique and subject matter, departing from the Symbolist painting he had done previously.

When Martin acquired Marquayrol he set out to cultivate the property both with comestible and decorative flora and fauna. Martin himself created the lush arbor which serves as the focal point of the present work, in the north-west section of the garden. The arbor has changed color for the fall, and the two little geranium pots which were always on the wall are not in flower – another testament to the approaching winter months. Martin masterfully contrasts the jewel-like tones of the plants and fallen leaves with the more muted light and sky: through his colors and brush strokes we can clearly feel that crisp, chill air so unique to a late afternoon in autumn. The sumptuous hills and valley of Labastide-du-Vert can be seen behind the arbor. According to Cyrille Martin, the artist preferred just this vantage point - from the low wall beneath the arbor - for painting the sweeping, sumptuous view of the valley that he could call his own. There is little wonder that this special garden on the hill was a source of such great inspiration.