Louis-Hilaire CARRAND (1821 – 1899) – Landscape with Trees by a River

Signew lower left. With frame. Oil on panel.

This painting by Louis-Hilaire Carrand executed in oil on panel (51 x 34 cm), illustrates the artist’s sensitivity to nature and light. The work features a row of slender trees, their dark trunks standing out against a misty background. The palette, dominated by greens, browns, and grays, gives the scene a peaceful and melancholic atmosphere. The reflection of the trees in the calm water of the river enhances the sense of depth and serenity. Carrand masters the art of atmospheric rendering: the diffused light filtering through the foliage creates a subtle play of shadow and light. This composition highlights the simplicity of the motif, emphasizing the harmony between earth, water, and sky. The painting demonstrates a careful observation of nature, characteristic of 19th-century realism, while also revealing a poetic touch.

Louis Carrand began his artistic studies by studying for two years under the guidance of landscape painter Nicolas Fonville, before pursuing independent work based on nature. In 1847, he traveled to Florence, then returned to Lyon, where he settled permanently. In 1864 or 1865, following the bankruptcy of his father, Carrand found himself without financial resources and had to support himself by occasionally working as a clerk until his death in 1899.

Carrand exhibited for the first time at the Salon of Lyon in 1846-1847 with a view of Burgundy. He would go on to exhibit nearly every year at the Salon of Lyon. His significant artistic production came from his weekly commitment to painting, dedicating every Sunday to creating works, mostly on the quays and squares of his hometown, Lyon. When he had the opportunity to escape for a few days, he would paint in the countryside of Bresse and Isère. Often, out of necessity, he would paint on both sides of a canvas or on scraps of wood or cardboard.

Carrand's career ran parallel to that of the Impressionists. Like many other marginal artists of the 19th century, he boldly anticipated numerous artistic developments that would come to fruition at the end of the century. He shared with other Lyonnais artists such as Ravier, Carnaud, and Bouche a preference for thick paint, bold and sumptuous brushstrokes, a style that was also adopted by Monticelli in Marseille.