French, 1847-1907
A pupil of Jules Lefebvre, Gustave Boulanger and Diaz, Leon Richet’s major influence came from the important Barbizon artists, most notably Narcisse Diaz de la Pena, of whom he was a student, and from Theodore Rousseau. He made his debut at the Paris Salon in 1869 with Bouleaux sur le hauteurs de la Plaine Blanche, Foret de Fontainebleau and Mare dans la Gorge aux loups. His regular entries to the annual Salon illustrate his travels to various regions of France including Normandy, Picardy and Bourbonnais. He was awarded an honorable mention in 1885 and second class medals in 1882 and 1901.
Like most of the Barbizon artists, Richet found great inspiration in the Forest of Fontainebleau, the forest which bordered the village of Barbizon. He was known for his verdant landscapes, and his influence as a landscapist was strongly felt by the members of the Barbizon movement. Unlike some of his mentors and counterparts, his landscapes are often airy and open, and at times daring in his manner of treating the light in the sky and it's reflections in water. Richet was a very prolific artist and his works appear in many collections. He died in Fountainebleau on March 26, 1907 in the small village of Seine-et-Marne.
Richet's compositions often evoke comparison to the great Dutch 17th century landscape tradition, which was the most significant influence on the early French Barbizon School artist's, such as Theodore Rousseau.
Museums:
Museum of Leeds: Foret de Fontainebleau
Museum of Montreal: Vieux Chenes, Foret de Fontainebleau (Old Oaks, Fontainebleau Forest)
Musee de Nice: Paysage (Landscape)
Musee de Reims: Paysage avec maruis (Swampy Landscape)
