Georges Pacouil

About the Painting

This 1945 oil on canvas painting depicts a country house in the French region of Brittany. The composition captures the rural architecture and landscape of Brittany with careful attention to structure and natural harmony, characteristic of Pacouil's post-impressionist approach. The painting demonstrates his ability to balance realistic precision with impressionist warmth, creating a scene that is both topographically accurate and atmospherically evocative.

Signed "Georges Pacouil 1945" in the lower left corner, the work represents Pacouil's mature period following World War II, when he had fully developed his distinctive synthesis of neorealism and post-impressionism. The painting emphasizes the harmony and structure inherent in nature, a central concern throughout his career.

The work is housed in a carved wood frame circa 1900 adorned with delicate leaf and flower details, in good condition with minor signs of wear. The painting itself remains in very good condition.

About the Artist

Georges Louis Abdon Pacouil (1903-1997) was a French post-impressionist and neorealist painter known for his landscapes, figures, nudes, and still lifes. Born in Paris on March 24, 1903, he studied at the Bernard-Palissy School under the renowned pointillist painter Hippolyte Petitjean, whose influence shaped Pacouil's approach to color, light, and composition.

Pacouil began his artistic career as a theater decorator from 1920 to 1934, working in scenic design while developing his painting practice. This early experience with theatrical composition and lighting informed his understanding of spatial relationships and atmospheric effects. In 1934, he became a member of the Salon d'Automne, one of Paris's most prestigious artistic societies, where he exhibited regularly throughout his career.

His work drew comparisons to André Dunoyer de Segonzac and Amédée de La Patellière, showcasing a balance between traditional craftsmanship and modernist sensibilities. Pacouil represented France in international exhibitions in San Francisco, Tunisia, and the Balkans, establishing his reputation beyond French borders.

Throughout his career, Pacouil received numerous prestigious awards, including the Bernheim Prize, Blumental Prize, and First Prize in the Watercolor Competition of Paris (1950). Later honors included the Silver Medal of the French Education League (1954), Vermeil Medal of Arts-Sciences-Letters (1968), and Gold Medal of Hauts-de-Seine (1984).

Georges Pacouil's works are held in significant collections, including the National Museum of Modern Art and the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris. He died in Neuilly-sur-Seine on March 26, 1997, leaving behind a substantial body of work that documents his lifelong engagement with the French landscape, particularly the regions of Brittany and Provence.

Technical Details

Artist: Georges Pacouil (1903-1997)
Signed: Lower left, "Georges Pacouil 1945"
Date: 1945
Medium: Oil on canvas
Condition: Very good condition
Dimensions: 55.5 x 46.5 cm / 22¾ x 18¼ in
Frame: 67 x 58 cm / 26¼ x 22¾ in, carved wood c.1900 with leaf and flower details, good condition
Origin: France

A Breton landscape by a Salon d'Automne member whose works are held in the Pompidou Centre.