Henry Somm Art

François Clément SOMMIER, known as Henry SOMM Rouen 1844 - Paris 1907 Young Elegant woman in hat, nocturnal Watercolor Signed lower right 32 x 21 cm 50 x 40 cm framed Very good cond...

Figures is an Original China Ink Drawing realized by Henry Somm (1844-1907). Good condition on a cream colored paper, included a grey cardboard passpartout (24.5x31 cm). Signature ...

Woman is an Original Pencil Drawing realized by Henry Somm (1844-1907). Good condition on a cream colored paper, included a grey cardboard passpartout (31.5x25 cm). Not signed. Fr...

Night Life at the Moulin Rouge Pen and ink drawing, c. 1890 Signed lower left (see photo) A scene of the night life near the Moulin Rouge, Paris. The Moulin Rouge is the famous cabaret located in the old wind mill building in the right distance of this image. It was the center of fin de siecle culture in Paris. Condition: Slight yellowing to the sheet from age. Sight size: 9 x 5 3/4 inches Frame size: 14-1/8 x 10-3/4 x 1/2" Provenance: Eric G. Carlson (1940-2016), art historian and noted art dealer François Clément Sommier, best known under the pseudonym “Henry Somm,” was born in Rouen in 1844. He attended the local École municipale des beaux-arts and went on in 1867 to Paris, where he studied under Isidore Pils (1813-1875). “Somm is above all a painter and his watercolors are much sought after; he has the painter’s eye to the highest degree imaginable.” Louis Morin, Somm’s fellow artist revealed in 1893 that while his training as an academic painter forged his draughsmanship and an acute eye for colors, Somm preferred and excelled in the graphic realm. Particularly prolific, he produced a very extensive corpus of 7,500 drawings and prints, many of which were widely reproduced in journals and magazines. In 1867, Somm’s career reached a turning point with the discovery of Japanese culture through his friendship with French collector and critic Philippe Burty and a visit to the Paris International Exhibition. More generally, Japanese art and especially Japanese woodblock prints exerted a heavy influence on French artists at the time, and especially on the Impressionists, who were particularly inspired by the subject matter, as well as the innovative use of perspective, composition and color. Although technically not an Impressionist by pure definition, Somm’s interest in the effect of atmospheric light on shadow and color prompted Edgar Degas to invite him to participate in their 4th exhibition in 1879. However, Somm did not exhibit again with the Impressionists, and was never considered a member of the group. Rather, his work intersects between Impressionism, Symbolism and Japonism. In fact, while his drypoints and etchings reflect a more literal borrowing of Japanese elements than the work of Whistler or Monet, they also clearly anticipate the future work of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Although Somm was 20 years older than Toulouse-Lautrec, both artists developed a friendship, as habitués of the Chat noir, a cabaret founded by Rodolphe Salis and located 84 boulevard de Rochechouart in Montmartre. More than a cabaret, the Chat noir also became an important gathering place for writers, poets, composers, musicians, and artists living in Montmartre. For Somm, a founding member of this artistic circle, it also served as a unique environment, where he could express his limitless imagination as active participant to the events – notably the literary soirées organized by the hydropathic group – and illustrator of the Chat noir journal. In 1886, Somm, in collaboration with Georges Auriol, initiated the Chat noir’s first puppet show, which subsequently evolved into shadow theater. Somm’s Japonism and sense of humor appealed to Toulouse-Lautrec, and this influence is echoed in Lautrec posters advertising two other Montmartre nightspots, namely Le Mirliton and Le Divan Japonais...

Portraits is an original artwork realized between the end of 19th century and the beginning of 20th century by Henry Somm. Original black and white pencil drawings on paper attached on cardboard. Dimensions: variable dimensions between 2.5 and 4 cm high. The artwork various portrait sketches of man and female figure. Good conditions except for some foxings and stains. The drawings are hand-signed o signed with the initials of the artist. Henry Somm (Rouen 1844 – Parigi 1907) François Clément Sommier, best known under the pseudonym “Henry Somm,” was born in Rouen in 1844. He attended the local École municipale des beaux-arts and went on in 1867 to Paris, where he studied under Isidore Pils (1813-1875).He moved to Paris in 1860. Between 1873 and 1876 he made many engravings for the magazine Paris à l'eau forte and then at the Cadart printing house. In 1879 and 1889 he participated in the Impressionist exhibitions from the Durand-Ruel gallery in Paris. He collaborated with the newspapers: Le Chat noir...

Two Figures is a China Ink Drawing realized by Henry Somm (1844-1907). Good condition on a cream colored paper, included a grey cardboard passpartout (31.5x24.5 cm). Signature on p...

Man Working is an Original China Ink Drawing realized by Henry Somm (1844-1907). Good condition on a little yellowed paper (missing corner) included a cream colored passpartout (31x...

Portraits is an Original pen, Pencil and Watercolour drawing realized by Henry Somm (1844-1907). Good condition on a little yellowed paper included a cream colored passpartout (21x2...

Seller of Hats is an Original China Ink Drawing realized by Henry Somm (1844-1907). Good condition on a little yellowed paper (missing corner) included a cream colored passpartout (...

Flamenco Dancers is an original artwork realized between the XIX century and the XX century by Henry Somm. Original black and white pen drawings on paper. The artwork represents a couple of flamenco dancers. Good conditions except for some foxings, stains. The drawing is hand-signed with the initials of the artist on the lower right corner. Henry Somm (Rouen 1844 – Parigi 1907) François Clément Sommier, best known under the pseudonym “Henry Somm,” was born in Rouen in 1844. He attended the local École municipale des beaux-arts and went on in 1867 to Paris, where he studied under Isidore Pils (1813-1875).He moved to Paris in 1860. Between 1873 and 1876 he made many engravings for the magazine Paris à l'eau forte and then at the Cadart printing house. In 1879 and 1889 he participated in the Impressionist exhibitions from the Durand-Ruel gallery in Paris. He collaborated with the newspapers: Le Chat noir, La Charge, La Cravache, La Chronique parisienne, High Life, Frou-Frou, Le Rire. He wrote the comedy in one act La Berline de l'Emigré ou Jamais trop tard pour bien faire, created for Le Chat noir, on December 25, 1885. Somm left a large number of drawings and watercolors of Paris...

Woman is an original artwork realized between the XIX century and the XX century by Henry Somm. Original black and white pencil drawings on paper. The artwork represents a portrait...

The Magician is an original artwork realized between the XIX century and the XX century by Henry Somm. Original black and white pen drawings on paper. The artwork represents a man,...

Snake Tail is an original artwork realized between the XIX century and the XX century by Henry Somm. Original black and white pen drawings on paper. The artwork represents an ironi...

Somm, Henry (French 1844-1907). UNTITLED - ACTRESS ON STAGE. Drawing, ink on paper, not dated, but circa 1890-1900. Signed "Hy Somm." 9 7/8 x 6 3/4 inches (250 x 170 mm.), framed ...