Michel Brosseau"On the Bow" a photorealist detailed view of a bow of a ship in rustic tones2024
2024
About the Item
- Creator:Michel Brosseau (French)
- Creation Year:2024
- Dimensions:Height: 20 in (50.8 cm)Width: 60 in (152.4 cm)
- More Editions & Sizes:naPrice: $7,200
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Edgartown, MA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU164213980402
Michel Brosseau
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prosperous trade with the West Indies in the 18th century. “The scent of cocoa, vanilla, and cinnamon still vaguely hangs in these ports today,” says Brosseau.
The French artist is known for his nautical paintings and draws inspiration from his childhood memories. “I strolled the docks between the sugar and rum warehouses,” he says. “And I think it’s this nostalgia for a traditional sea lifestyle that used to fascinate me and still does.”
Brosseau’s education is atypical for a painter — he studied political science as an undergraduate and received a master’s degree in law. Although he painted during and after his years at school, he worked as a journalist and a political activist upon graduating. He could not stay away from his true passion for long, however, and eventually returned to painting full time. From a young age, the sea captivated Brousseau.
“My first paintings were devoted to maritime themes mixed with Surrealism,” he says. Paintings from his teenage years depict flying boats or parting waters, like the iconic scene from Cecil B. DeMille’s 1956 film The Ten Commandments. As Brosseau developed, his style moved closer to realism. His oil paintings have a distinct look — graphic and contemporary — that he uses to explore the philosophical implications of marine life.
“The fascinating part of the sea is that it’s a total and paradoxical universe,” Brosseau says. “There is always the fascination with going out to sea and the anticipation of returning to port.” While his style is consistent, Brosseau experiments with different techniques and themes. He rarely paints open seascapes and his canvases frequently include animate and inanimate symbols of the nautical world — toiling sailors, faded buoys with chipped paint, weather-battered rowboats.
“Maybe I prefer the maritime places, objects, and artifacts of the sea culture to the sea itself because I can tame and control them,” Brosseau says. At the heart of his work is an awareness of the austerity of life — at sea and ashore — and the different ways humanity reacts to nature. “I found this a bit in Martha’s Vineyard,” he says, “this opposition between the Palladian refinement of 18th-century New England architecture and the odds and ends of Menemsha Harbor.”
When Brosseau first visited the Vineyard he was struck by the diverse wealth of scenery the island presents to a painter. “Whatever the topic, there is always an atmosphere to be captured,” he says. Inspired by the Vineyard’s majestic sailboats, tranquil harbors, and quaint landscapes, Brosseau began a series of paintings dedicated to the island’s nostalgic charm. His work has been featured at the Eisenhauer Gallery in Edgartown since the summer of 2006.
Find original Michel Brosseau paintings on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by Eisenhauer Gallery)
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Edgartown, MA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- "Fisherman's Pride" a photorealist landscape of fishing buoys in vibrant tonesBy Michel BrosseauLocated in Edgartown, MAMichel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...Category
2010s Realist Still-life Paintings
MaterialsOil, Linen
- "Panoramique" a photorealist maritime oil painting with a ship sailingBy Michel BrosseauLocated in Edgartown, MAMichel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...Category
2010s Realist Still-life Paintings
MaterialsLinen, Oil
- "The Meeting" a photorealist oil painting depicting a nautical landscapeBy Michel BrosseauLocated in Edgartown, MAMichel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...Category
2010s Realist Still-life Paintings
MaterialsLinen, Oil
- "The Last Catch" a vivid blue array of fisherman buoys restingBy Michel BrosseauLocated in Edgartown, MAMichel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...Category
2010s Realist Still-life Paintings
MaterialsOil, Linen
- "Liberté", a photorealist side profile of a rooster with a proud red featuresBy Michel BrosseauLocated in Edgartown, MAMichel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...Category
2010s Realist Still-life Paintings
MaterialsLinen, Oil
- "Verde in View" a photorealist oil painting, overlooking a vibrant green boatBy Michel BrosseauLocated in Edgartown, MAMichel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...Category
2010s Realist Still-life Paintings
MaterialsOil, Linen
- Italian Roses, Oil Painting On Linen Style of Realism, Florence, framedLocated in Houston, TXWhite Roses is painted in the Realist style which the artists acquired when she studied at the Florence Academy of Art. Frame included at no cost. Other paintings by Melissa Sanche...Category
2010s Realist Still-life Paintings
MaterialsLinen, Oil
- Untitled (After)By Anthony AdcockLocated in East Quogue, NYHyperreal oil painting by Anthony Adcock titled "Untitled (After)"- Oil on mounted linen. **There is no steel or rust in this piece. It is hand-painted oil on linen canvas and mount...Category
2010s Realist Abstract Paintings
MaterialsLinen, Oil, Panel
- 'Two Pears, ' by Alyona Kostina, Oil on Canvas PaintingBy Alyona KostinaLocated in Oklahoma City, OKThis 10"x16.5" impressionistic oil painting by Alyona Kostina, is a still life featuring two bright, green pears sitting on a table with a white tablecloth and red wall behind. The ...Category
2010s Realist Still-life Paintings
MaterialsLinen, Oil
- "Afterglow" Oil PaintingBy Mia BergeronLocated in Denver, COMia Bergeron's (US based) "Afterglow" is an oil painting that depicts a lone white bowl filled with pomegranate seeds sitting with a halved pomegranate on a white surface. Mia Berg...Category
2010s Realist Interior Paintings
MaterialsLinen, Oil, Panel
- "Tranquility" Oil PaintingBy Mia BergeronLocated in Denver, COMia Bergeron's (US based) "Tranquility" is an oil painting that depicts a lone white bowl filled with pomegranate seeds sitting with a halved pomegranate on a white surface. Mia Be...Category
2010s Realist Interior Paintings
MaterialsOil, Linen, Panel
- "Peaceful Afternoon" Oil PaintingLocated in Denver, CODaud Akhriev's (EUR and US based) "Peaceful Afternoon" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts an interior setting adorned with fine wooden fur...Category
2010s Realist Still-life Paintings
MaterialsLinen, Oil