A Stroke Of Genius: Luigi Loir

Luigi Loir is an artist I've heard very little of but I've definitely come across his work on social media many times, so I wanted to look into him.

Luigi Loir, www.wikipedia.org

Loir was a French painter, illustrator and lithographer born in Gortiz, Austria on December (I found one place that said he was born in January) 22nd in 1845. He mainly did landscape paintings but became known for his ceiling paintings. Although his family was French, he was born in Austria because his parents were employees to the Bourbons, the royal French family who were in exile in Austria at the time. After Loir was born, the family only spent a couple years there before moving to Parma in 1847. There, Loir went to the school of Fine Arts of Parma in 1853.

Paris, Port-de-mer, 1885, www.artnet.com

In 1860, his family went back to France but he decided to stay in Parma. He began his studies at the Academy of Arts. However, three years later he moved to Paris once his father became sick. This was Loir's first time in Paris and it was a huge deal for him. This move to Paris inspired and shaped the rest of his career.

Les quais de la Seine sous la pluie, www.artnet.com

While in Paris, Loir befriended artist Jean Pastelot. Loir spent a great deal of time at Pastelot's studio where he began trying out new art forms like illustrations for novels, decorations and theatrical costumes.

Loir's first known painting is Paysage à Villiers-sur Seine from 1865. He exhibited at the Salon for the first time that same year and this was the painting he displayed. He then went on to exhibit at the Salon many times after. He received many awards for his work and several of his pieces where purchased by museums and important individuals.

Paysage à Villiers-sur Seine, 1865, www.theworldartist.com

In 1870, he served in the Franco-Prussian War in the battles of Le Bourget. Loir was made a chevalier of the Légion d'honneur in 1898.

Les Grands Boulevards animes a Paris, www.artnet.com

After the war, he continued with his work as an artist. Loir was a member of the Société de Peintres-Lithographes, the Société des Aquarellistes, Société des Arts Décoratifs and a member of the Jury of the Société des Artists Français.

Loir died at the age of 70 in Paris in 1916. You can find his works at the Musée des Beaux-Arts of Bordeaux, Musée des Beaux-Arts in Rouen (Czech Republic), National Gallery in Prague and more.

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