Georges Pacouil

About the Painting

This oil on canvas painting by Georges Pacouil features a landscape view of the village of Brignogan, a former commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in northwestern France. Painted in 1926, when Pacouil was just 23 years old, the work represents an early example of his developing post-impressionist style and his lifelong fascination with the Breton landscape.

Brignogan, located on the rugged coast of Finistère, was a popular destination for artists drawn to Brittany's distinctive light, dramatic coastline, and traditional rural character. Pacouil's treatment of the village demonstrates his emerging ability to balance realistic observation with impressionist warmth, capturing both the physical structure of the landscape and its atmospheric qualities.

The painting is signed and dated 1926 in the lower right corner and titled on the reverse. This unframed oil on canvas remains in very good condition, offering insight into Pacouil's early artistic development before he became a member of the Salon d'Automne in 1934.

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 academic technique and modernist innovation. 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 right corner, dated 1926
Date: 1926
Location: Brignogan, Finistère, Brittany, France
Medium: Oil on canvas
Condition: Very good condition
Dimensions: 33 x 55 cm / 13 x 21¾ in
Frame: Unframed
Origin: France

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