Henri Lebasque

1865-1937

Henri Lebasque painted light-filled domestic interiors and landscapes that captured the quiet pleasures of everyday life. Born in Champigné in 1865, he studied in Angers before moving to Paris in 1886, where he trained under Léon Bonnat and assisted Ferdinand Humbert with murals at the Panthéon. He met Pissarro and Renoir during these years, and later drew inspiration from the Nabis painters Vuillard and Bonnard. A founding member of the Salon d'Automne in 1903 alongside Henri Matisse, Lebasque developed a distinctive approach to colour through friendships with Dufy, Valtat, and especially Manguin, who introduced him to the South of France. This southern light transformed his palette into brighter, warmer tones. He achieved commercial success, decorating the Champs-Élysées theatre and luxury liners. His paintings remain in major French museums, including the Musée d'Orsay. He died in Le Cannet in 1937.