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It is almost impossible to deal with the art historical epoch of Art Nouveau and not stumble upon the French artist Paul Berthon. For although Berthon lived to be only 36 years old, he achieved great fame in the Art Nouveau movement during his lifetime. But despite his success as an artist, very little is known about Paul Berthon's private life. Only birth and death dates, as well as his hometown and the profession of his father can be documented with some sources.
At a young age, Berthon began to study painting in his hometown of Villefranche-sur-Saône. A few years later, the then 21-year-old finally found himself in the capital of Art Nouveau, Paris. There he attended numerous courses at the École normal d'enseignement du dessin and was instructed by the renowned artists Luc-Olivier Merson and Puvis de Chavannes, among others. But it was the courses of the artist Eugène Garsset that particularly influenced him. As a professor of decorative arts, Grasset exerted an enormous influence on the young Paul Berthon. This is clearly reflected in Berthon's first works, which often show stylistic elements comparable to Grasset. In the end, however, Berthon managed to break away from his master's style and thus develop a style of his own. Above all, a palette of autumnal pastel tones and clear lines and contours distinguished his later works. Other key elements in Paul Berthon's art were, on the one hand, his study of Japanese woodblock prints and, on the other, his attention to the art of the natural world, especially its flora and fauna. As a result, Paul Berthon's lithographs are particularly characterized by craftsmanship and elegance.
What sets Berthon apart from other artists of his time period, however, is the frequent absence of advertising or typography on his posters. Berthon thus managed to produce such expressive works that could be considered significant works of art in their own right. In addition to his work as a painter and lithographer, Paul Berthon was also in great demand as a furniture designer. He also designed covers for numerous magazines and a variety of ceramic products. Paul Berthon died already at the age of 36, his catalog raisonné is accordingly not very extensive. But still, it is impossible not to consider Paul Berthon one of the greatest masters of the entire Art Nouveau movement. With his works and works he left great traces in the epoch of Art Nouveau, his influence can not be denied. Thus, Berthon joins the same ranks as the famous artists Gustav Klimt, Otto Wagner and Alphonse Mucha.
It is almost impossible to deal with the art historical epoch of Art Nouveau and not stumble upon the French artist Paul Berthon. For although Berthon lived to be only 36 years old, he achieved great fame in the Art Nouveau movement during his lifetime. But despite his success as an artist, very little is known about Paul Berthon's private life. Only birth and death dates, as well as his hometown and the profession of his father can be documented with some sources.
At a young age, Berthon began to study painting in his hometown of Villefranche-sur-Saône. A few years later, the then 21-year-old finally found himself in the capital of Art Nouveau, Paris. There he attended numerous courses at the École normal d'enseignement du dessin and was instructed by the renowned artists Luc-Olivier Merson and Puvis de Chavannes, among others. But it was the courses of the artist Eugène Garsset that particularly influenced him. As a professor of decorative arts, Grasset exerted an enormous influence on the young Paul Berthon. This is clearly reflected in Berthon's first works, which often show stylistic elements comparable to Grasset. In the end, however, Berthon managed to break away from his master's style and thus develop a style of his own. Above all, a palette of autumnal pastel tones and clear lines and contours distinguished his later works. Other key elements in Paul Berthon's art were, on the one hand, his study of Japanese woodblock prints and, on the other, his attention to the art of the natural world, especially its flora and fauna. As a result, Paul Berthon's lithographs are particularly characterized by craftsmanship and elegance.
What sets Berthon apart from other artists of his time period, however, is the frequent absence of advertising or typography on his posters. Berthon thus managed to produce such expressive works that could be considered significant works of art in their own right. In addition to his work as a painter and lithographer, Paul Berthon was also in great demand as a furniture designer. He also designed covers for numerous magazines and a variety of ceramic products. Paul Berthon died already at the age of 36, his catalog raisonné is accordingly not very extensive. But still, it is impossible not to consider Paul Berthon one of the greatest masters of the entire Art Nouveau movement. With his works and works he left great traces in the epoch of Art Nouveau, his influence can not be denied. Thus, Berthon joins the same ranks as the famous artists Gustav Klimt, Otto Wagner and Alphonse Mucha.