Victor Gabriel Gilbert

Victor Gabriel Gilbert (1847-1933)

Victor Gilbert , born Victor Gabriel Gilbert in Paris on February 13 , 1847 and dead the July 21 , 1933, is a French painter. He is buried in the Montmartre cemetery in Paris.

Of modest origin, Victor Gilbert is placed in 1860 as apprentice at a painter decorator. He follows, at night, art classes under the direction of Father Levasseur, at the School of the City of Paris. He started at the Salon des artistes français in 1873. In the late 1870s, his taste for naturalism became stronger and he turned to genre painting with scenes of streets, cafes, markets, especially the Halles . He won a second class medal at the Salon of 1880 and a silver medal at the 1889 World Fair . He became a member of the Society of French Artists in 1914.

Victor Gilbert was appointed Knight of the Legion of Honor in 1897, and received the Léon Bonnat Prize in 1926.

During the Belle Epoque , the sidewalks of Paris were populated by merchants of all kinds. Witness of his time, Victor Gilbert is interested in the stature and pride of the workers of Les Halles, the markets of Paris and the province. His bowls of steaming soup, the cut beef, his vision of great sensitivity do not mask the harshness of everyday life.

The critics Of the time say of him "  The painting of Victor Gilbert sings the work in the open (...) it exalts only honest work. She is alive and well modern, full of exuberance and strength, with refinements and delicacies of tones of skill and flexibility that feel the control. “ 

Victor Gilbert likes to paint the freshness and gaiety of childhood in Paris or in the provinces. Its colors are peaceful, relaxing harmonies happy. During this period, finally the status of the child evolves. Arranged marriage gradually gives way to marriage for love, which will make the new baby sacred. Victor Gilbert paints remarkably this period of the child-king ... who crosses the one who begs.

Winner at the Salon des Artistes français , recognized as an illustrious figure of his time, Victor Gilbert is received in society circles. Its natural elegance makes it a guest of choice. He will also testify to those moments of festivities that marked the Belle Epoque.