A collection of French landscape painters

In 2011, The Fleming gallery showcased a collection of French naturalists, featuring paintings and drawings by landscape painters from the first half of the 20th century. 

These artists were known for their deep connection and interaction with nature, carrying forward the principles and techniques of Impressionism. While remaining aware of contemporary art movements, they embraced plein-air painting, emphasizing the beauty and harmony of nature.

Gaston Balande, the renowned artist in the collection, epitomized the principle that guided all the naturalist painters: "Nature is my master, taste is my guide. Balande's artistic journey reflected the development of the naturalist painters of that period. By the 1930s, he had reached the pinnacle of his mature style and gained recognition through public commissions, including mural paintings on the transatlantic liner Normandie. 

One of his masterpieces, "Camping" (1934), showcased in the exhibition, testified to Balande's profound love for nature. These painters actively sought out landscapes, still lifes, and even urban scenes, as industrialization continued its encroachment. The concept of "French Naturalists" was conceived by George, who aimed to unite and categorize these artists specializing in landscape painting and a return to a more figurative representation of nature.

The collection has gradually built a strong and coherent identity over time, revolving around the unifying theme of nature, which resonates with the current ecological concerns. It stands as a testament to the enduring and solid artistic choices made by George Whyte almost 50 years ago. The visionary nature of the collection deserves admiration, as it was initiated in the 1970s when pre-war painting, except for Impressionists and the Avant-Garde, had fallen out of favor. This observation holds particularly true for landscape painting.

The relative neglect of these "French Naturalist Painters" until recent times raises questions. The main reasons for this lie in the crisis faced by landscape painting after Impressionism. How could one paint nature after such a significant stylistic shift? The predominant response was the rise of abstract art, which eliminated the figurative allure of landscapes. Additionally, the absence of critical attention from art historians and the art market's focus on the Avant-Garde further marginalized this aspect of national artistic production.