An accomplished French artist painter of landscapes, landscapes with figures, harbour scenes, seascapes, flowers., Alfred Godchaux was born 24 January 1839 and received his formal art training at the École des Beaux Arts, student of Gustave Courbet and Régis François Gignoux. On completion of his studies he travelled extensively through Europe spending months studying at the museums in Spain and Italy. On his return to Paris in 1860 he started showing his work at the Paris Salon, for which he was to receive much praise.
Of his exhibited paintings, many were very beautiful Venetian scenes. He left Paris in 1875 and settled in Pau, opening a workshop on Rue Henri IV. The surrounding coastline being so beautiful, Alfred Godchaux found an abundance of subject matter for which there was an appreciative clientele. Instead of exhibiting at the Paris Salon he now exhibited at the Beaux Arts de Pau and records at the museum des Beaux Arts in Pau show that he exhibited paintings entitled Paysage Pyrénéen and La Promenade de Montauban a Luchon.
In method, outlook and sympathy Godchaux was influenced by the Impressionists, and although very much a plein-air painter one can see how capable he was at conveying a painting full of vivacity by the varied touches of different colours on the land, sea and the clear blue of the sky.
Father of Émile Godchaux (1860-1938). In any event, both artists favoured similar subject matter. There remains potential confusion between the two artists and their work. Alfred Godchaux died 3 May 1907 in Reims, aged 68 years old.
Sources: Benezit, Dictionary of Artists; "Alfred Godchaux", Select Fine Art; Archives de France.
Artist: Alfred Godchaux (1839-1907)
Signed and dated 1881 in the lower left corner.
Medium: Oil on canvas.
Condition: Very good condition. Signs of past restoration.
Dimensions: 43 x 70 cm. / 17 x 27 ½ in.
Frame: 57 x 84 cm. / 22 ½ x 33 in. Original 19th century, gilt wood repainted, very good condition.
Origin: France.