Michel Fronti

Michel Gabriel Joseph Toussaint Fronti was a French painter and pastel artist, born in Marseille on November 3, 1862 and died in the same city on September 20, 1936. Son of an artist, he manifested a strong inclination for painting from a young age. He followed the usual route of painters from the south of France: École des Beaux-Arts in Marseille (studio of Eugène Lagier), then in Paris (under Jules Lefèbvre and Benjamin-Constant). It wasn't long before he made a name for himself in the artistic world.

Member of the Salon des Artistes Français, he exhibited and obtained great success (silver medal in 1922) and numerous awards at various Salons. On his return to Marseille, he quickly found his place in the great family of Provence artists, where his kindness and smiling indulgence earned him many close friendships. Michel Fronti was honorary president of the Artists of Provence and member of the jury at the École des Beaux-Arts in Marseille.

The work of Michel Fonti, as a whole, testifies to a high artistic conscience, an aesthetic confidence and, above all, a keen sensitivity. As a pastel artist, Michel Fronti demonstrated unusual virtuosity and was fully invested in all his works.

The pedestrian victim of a traffic accident, he succumbed to his injuries seven months after the incident on September 20, 1936, aged 74.

Sources: Benezit, Dictionary of Artists; Le Petit Marseillais, 23 septembre 1936, p.3; Gérard Schurr & Pierre Cabanne : Dictionnaire des Petits Maîtres de la peinture. Les Éditions de l’Amateur, p. 311.

Artist: Michel Fronti (1862-1936).
Signed “M. Fronti” in the bottom left corner.
Medium: Pastel on paper.
Condition: Excellent condition, professionally restored.
Dimensions: 59 x 72 cm. / 23 ¼ x 28 ¼ in.
Frame: 83 x 96 cm. / 32 ½ x 37 ¾ in. Wood, contemporary, classic style.
Origin: France.