Fernand Marie Eugene Legout-Gerard (French, 1856 to 1924)
Though interested in art from a young age, Legout-Gerard gave in to filial pressure and entered the banking profession. Eventually attaining the prestigious position as Bank Director in his native Normandy, Legout-Gerard did not return to painting until after an 1890 visit to the Breton town of Concarneau. Enthralled by Brittany and encouraged by his artist friends, he visited the region numerous times on painting excursions. Legout-Gerard soon abandoned his banking career to dedicate himself full-time to painting. In 1903 he became a permanent resident of Concarneau where he gained a reputation as an accomplished chronicler of Breton life.
In 1900 Legout-Gerard was named the official painter of the French Marine Ministry. While he continued to create his popular landscapes and genre scenes, it was for his marine and port scenes that he was most acclaimed. Employing a cool palette and utilizing a quick, precise brushstroke, the artist was adept at capturing a specific moment. As evident in the present painting, he was able to create marinescapes filled with a sense of vibrancy and vitality. Legout-Gerard exhibited at the Paris Salon and the Societe National des Beaux-Arts Francais.
Information courtesy of Neal Auction Co., July 2010.