Pre-Impressionism:
Narcisse Diaz de la Peña
1807 – 1876
General info:
Diaz de la Peña was born in Bordeaux. His parents were Spanish.
In 1831 he made his debut at the Salon*. In 1844 he received a 3rd class medal (Genre), in 1846 a 2nd class medal and in 1848 a 1st class medal. He was appointed in the Légion d’Honneur as Chevalier in 1851/05/04. At the Exposition Universelle of 1855 6 of his paintings were exhibited. In 1889 at the Centennale Exposition 10 paintings and several litho’s and in 1900 8 paintings. In 1872 he exhibited in Brussels and was appointed Chevalier in the Order of Leopold. A review wrote: ‘Brilliant colour was his greatest strength; the form was sometimes neglected.’ (R290,p154) In 1877, after his death in 1876, there was a retrospective at the École des Beaux-Arts (iR23).
In the 1830’s Diaz often painted in Fontainebleau (with Rousseau). Since 1835 he often stayed at the inn of Ganne in Barbizon. Later he shared a studio with Millet. He also had contacts with Cabat, Decamps, Dupré and Jongkind. In 1864 he advised Renoir not to use bitumen-black (R32, p12). In 1867 he supported Bazille’s request for an independent exposition.
Diaz is seen as a pre-impressionist. He often rendered the time of day and the influence of weather (especially storms). His landscapes are not very bright using a lot of browns, greys and dark greens. He often painted undergrowth, clearings and ponds. Diaz also painted many mythological, religious and oriental themes, sometimes a bit sentimental. He also painted some still lives and portraits. Many of his paintings were quite small.
Note*: Adams states, that Diaz had not much succes at the Salon, but good sells through art-dealers (up to 8.000 franc; R59,p184), I doubt if this is fully true.
Main sources: R290,p154-158;R59;iR1;R231;R16,p38; more info; pictures and info at Joconde =iR23.
Pictures:
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