LEON GERMAIN PELOUSE

Landscape painter Leon-Germain Pelouse was born in 1838 in Pierrelaye, near Paris. He began working at sixteen as a traveling sales representative, which introduced him to the varying landscapes and villages in France. He then joined the military, where he executed his first painting in his quarters after his colonel gave him permission to do so. In his late twenties, he decided to pursue a career as a painter. He did not, however, enter an Ecole des Beaux-Arts atelier, as would be expected of an artist seeking public recognition at that time. In fact, he considered nature to be his teacher and he became successful during his time. In 1870, he moved to the village of Vaux-de-Cernay, where he associated with other major landscape painters of the period. A Scribner’s Monthly writer penned in 1878, “Next… is Pelouse. His style is impressive, his pictures rich and daring in color, the execution marked by the greatest breadth and freedom of handling.” Despite having no master himself, students were drawn to Pelouse’s residence in Vaux-de-Cernay, seeking his counsel and advice. He died in 1891.