Look what I've just inherited! These floral prints are painted by and signed by the great artist, Paul de Longpre. My Aunt Jeanne in Huntington Beach, knowing something of their history wanted me to have them. As you can imagine, I was struck by their antiquity, beauty and value and felt very fortunate. I have found a good new home for each one of them where they can captivate our botanical attention.
A famous French and American flower painter, Paul de Longpré (1855-1911), sometimes known as “The King of Flowers,” painted botanical art works that were not only scientifically accurate, but alsopleasing to the eye. Prints of his botanical paintings are still popular withthose who wish to add an authentic touch to rooms decorated in the Romantic,English Country, French Country, and Cottage styles.
De Longpré was born in France in 1855, into an artistic family, which was known for painting flower patterns for the textile mills of Lyons. Although he became widely popular for his botanical paintings, de Longpré leftFrance in 1890 and moved with his wife and daughters to New York City.
Once in the U.S., de Longpré continued to meet with success. He exhibited hisfirst painting, Basket of Purple Lilacs, at the National Academy of Design in1892. The de Longpré family later moved to Hollywood, where the artist could find fresh flowers blooming year round.
In Hollywood, de Longpre built a large Moorish-style house with a 3-acre garden,which held more than 3,000 rose bushes alone. Not only was the garden a source for de Longpre’s artistic inspiration, it became the best-known tourist attraction of the time. The artist continued to win awards and acclaim, especially for his beautifullysensitive paintings of roses. De Longpré died on June 29, 1911.
Mary, me gustan los cudros y las flores son preciosas...te felicito por la adquisición...son unos cuadros maravillosos.
ReplyDeleteUn beso.