Eugène BROUILLARD (1870 -1950), View of Lyon from Caluire

Eugène BROUILLARD (Lyon,1870 - id. 1950), View of Lyon from Caluire

Born in Croix-Rousse in 1870, Brouillard began life as a draughtsman in a lace factory. At the age of 14, he worked for Dognin, a French industrial company manufacturing tulle and lace. In 1890, at only 19 years old, he exhibited for the first time at the Salon des Beaux-Arts in Lyon, presenting a charcoal entitled "Sous-bois", being a landscape of Tassin, where the Izeron flows in the foreground.

In 1898, he joined forces with Bruiset to found a drawing firm. As Bruiset died the following year, Brouillard approached the Routier-Chavan house, allowing it to have many orders, forcing him to hire workers.

In 1922, he received the commission for 18 large panels for the decoration of the City Hall of the 3rd arrondissement of Lyon : 66 meters long, it is entitled "Lyon, city of waters".

His favourite subjects are sunsets, misty landscapes, riverbanks... or even corners of the Parc de la Tête d'Or. He has a particular attraction for still lifes. It depicts the landscapes of Lyon or the Dombes, with mysterious ponds, where grew lush vegetation and dishevelled, twisted trees.

He was inspired by Carrand's work, especially after seeing one of his painting at the Malaval Gallery. He retains its luminous qualities. His inspiration comes mainly from nature, but also from Poussin, the Barbizon painters (especially Camille Corot), but also Baudin, Ravier and Vernay. He speaks of his technique as "cooking", where a thousand unexpected recipes enter.

Around 1912, we can notice the first appearances of the greys characteristic of Brouillard's preferred palette. He usually paints with a knife, brushed in large flat areas.