Jean COUTY (1907-1991), View of the tip of Ile Barbe

Born in 1907 in the family home on Île Barbe, overlooking the quays of the Saône River, Jean Couty was an artist deeply connected to the landscapes of his childhood. The river, a constant presence in his life, became a vital source of inspiration, shaping his artistic universe.

This remarkable painting captures the southern tip of Île Barbe, where towering plane trees line the banks of the Saône. The carefully structured composition is defined by slender trunks that direct the viewer’s gaze toward the heart and upper reaches of the scene. A central pathway, sketched with expressive, hatched brushstrokes, draws the observer into the depth of the canvas, creating a dynamic and immersive perspective.

At the top of the composition, a glowing red sun bathes the scene in a poetic twilight ambiance. Couty’s masterful use of a palette of cool greens and blues evokes a serene forest atmosphere, contrasted by warm accents that bring rhythm and vibrancy to the work.

A prolific artist, Jean Couty exhibited regularly at the Salon des Indépendants in Paris (1935-1940), the Salon des Peintres Témoins de leur Temps, and the Biennale of Menton, where he was awarded first prize in 1953. His works were also featured in numerous solo exhibitions in both Lyon and Paris from 1945 to 1989.

Following his death, his legacy has been honored through prestigious retrospectives, including those at the Galerie Larock-Granoff in Paris in 1997 and the Paul Dini Museum in Villefranche-sur-Saône in 2002. A testament to his profound attachment to his native region and his timeless artistic mastery, Jean Couty’s work remains a vibrant presence in the history of art.