Andre Chabert

About the Painting

This original 1942 oil on wood landscape depicts a traditional Dauphinoise stone farm in the scenic surroundings of Grenoble, once the capital of the historic Dauphiné region in southeastern France. Signed and dated by the artist in the lower right corner, the painting captures the distinctive architectural character of rural Dauphiné, with its characteristic stone construction and alpine setting.

A handwritten note in French on the verso reads: "Type Ferme Dauphinoise (surroundings of Grenoble) Reconstitution," indicating that this work represents a careful study of traditional regional architecture. The notation suggests the painting may have served both artistic and documentary purposes, reflecting Chabert's dual training as painter and architect. His architectural background is evident in the precise rendering of the farm's structural elements and its relationship to the surrounding landscape.

About the Dauphiné Region

The Dauphiné region, with Grenoble as its historic capital, is characterized by its distinctive alpine architecture. Traditional Dauphinoise farms feature thick stone walls, designed to withstand harsh mountain winters, and are typically integrated into the hillside terrain. These structures represent centuries of vernacular architectural tradition adapted to the specific climatic and topographic conditions of the French Alps.

About the Artist

André Léon Chabert (1895-1961) was a French painter, poster designer, and architect born in Grenoble on February 6, 1895. A pupil of landscape painter André Albertin, Chabert developed his skills under the guidance of an established master of the Grenoble artistic community.

From 1919 onward, Chabert regularly exhibited oil and watercolor landscapes at the Salon of the Society of Friends of the Arts in his hometown, establishing himself as a significant figure in the regional art scene. His work focused primarily on the landscapes and architectural heritage of the Dauphiné region, subjects he knew intimately through both his artistic practice and his professional work as an architect.

Chabert successfully combined his artistic career with his professional activity as an architect, a dual practice that enriched both disciplines. His architectural training informed his landscape paintings with a sophisticated understanding of structure, space, and the relationship between built and natural environments. Conversely, his artistic sensibility brought a painterly eye to his architectural work.

André Léon Chabert died in Grenoble on January 20, 1961, leaving behind a body of work that documents the landscape and architectural heritage of the Dauphiné region during the mid-20th century.

Technical Details

Artist: André Léon Chabert (1895-1961)
Title: The Stone Farm (Type Ferme Dauphinoise)
Date: 1942
Location: Surroundings of Grenoble, Dauphiné, France
Medium: Oil on wood
Signature: Signed and dated lower right, 1942
Condition: Very good condition
Dimensions: 30 x 50 cm / 12 x 19¾ in (panel)
Frame: 43 x 62 cm / 17 x 24½ in, wood, very good condition
Origin: France
Inscription: Handwritten note on verso: "Type Ferme Dauphinoise (surroundings of Grenoble) Reconstitution"
Sources: Pierre Le Quéau, 20 ans de sociologie de l'art: Bilan et perspectives (1985); Archives de France

A documented mid-century landscape by a French architect-painter and pupil of André Albertin.