Paul Marie Roussel Paintings

Paul Marie Roussel, known as Ker-Xavier Roussel, was a French painter associated with Les Nabis, a group of post-impressionist avant-garde artists who set the pace for fine arts and graphic arts in France in the 1890s. Born on December 10, 1867, in Lorry-lès-Metz, Moselle, Roussel had a significant influence on the development of modern art at the turn of the century.

Roussel studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and later at the Académie Julian. It was there that he met Pierre Bonnard, Édouard Vuillard, and Maurice Denis, with whom he would form the core of Les Nabis, which also included Paul Sérusier and Henri-Gabriel Ibels. The group was heavily influenced by the work of Paul Gauguin and shared a common interest in symbolic content, as well as the use of flat areas of bold color and stylized forms.

Throughout his career, Roussel painted intimate domestic scenes, landscapes, and decorative panels, often exploring mythological themes and pastoral subjects that evoked a dreamlike quality. His style evolved from the Nabi aesthetic to a more classical approach influenced by the French tradition and his love for nature. He became known for his lush depictions of the countryside that celebrated the beauty and sensuality of nature and the human figure.

Roussel's work was exhibited at several important venues, including the Salon des Indépendants, the Salon d'Automne, and the Galeries Durand-Ruel, which were known for showcasing impressionist and post-impressionist artists. His paintings are held in numerous public collections, including the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.

Ker-Xavier Roussel passed away on June 6, 1925, in L'Étang-la-Ville, Yvelines. His legacy is that of a painter who bridged the gap between the post-impressionist innovations of the late 19th century and the more traditional, classical tendencies that resurfaced in the early 20th century.