Introduction
Fernand Sabatté was a French painter and sculptor who is best known for his architectural painting and portrait work.
Early life
He was born in Aiguillon, Lot-et-Garonne 14 May 1874. Sabatté's parents separated in 1880 and he moved with his mother to Bordeaux. Having studied at the École des Beaux-Arts, in 1893 he began working there in the studio of Gustave Moreau. At his first exhibition at the Paris Salon, a portrait of his grandmother was purchased by the state.
Artistic Career and Recognition
In 1900 he won the Grand Prix de Rome for his painting Un Spartiate et l'Ilote. From 1926 he taught painting, first at the École des Beaux-Arts in Lille until 1929, then at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. His student Louise Cottin won a second prize of Rome in 1934. Also in 1929, he founded the bimonthly magazine Art. He entered the Academy of Fine Arts of the Institute of France in 1935 (painting section, chair 5). Viewed as an academic painter, who was heavily influenced by his religion, which has been described as bordering on mystical. He remained heavily influenced by his tutor Moreau, retaining a very realistic style of painting, only briefly experimenting with Impressionism. He is credited, amongst other Paris artists, as fostering a new generation of modern women artists. There is a street in his native Aiguillon named in his honour.
Military career
He joined the French army and fought in both World Wars. During World War 1 he received the Croix de guerre and became a Chevalier (Knight) in the Legion of Honour. He died after being struck by a German truck in Chamigny October 22, 1940.
Known Art Works
- Ma Grand-mère (1895), Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux
- Près du feu (1896), Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon
- Intérieurs de Saint-Germain-des-Prés (1897), Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux
- Le Pauvre (1898), Musée des beaux-arts d'Agen
- The daughters of Danaus (1900), National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
- Inondation à Paris (1910), Carnavalet Museum
- The Arras Belfry (1916), National Gallery of Ireland
- Intérieur de la cathédrale d'Arras en ruines (1916), Musée d'Orsay
- Un Spartiate montre à ses fils un ilote ivre, École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts
- La Crypte, Musée d'Orsay
- Dans la gloire de Dieu, Musée Cantini