78 - Ⓟ LOUIS ROLLET (1895–1988)

Ⓟ LOUIS ROLLET (1895–1988) "Fisherman on the Mekong," circa 1930 Oil on hardboard Signed lower left 59 x 92 cm LOUIS ROLLET (1895–1988) "Ngư dân sông Mekong," circa 1930 Oil on hardboard Signed in the lower left corner 59 x 92 cm Born in Paris on May 3, 1895, Louis Rollet began his career as a painter under the tutelage of Charles Fouqueray (1869–1956) and made his debut at the Salon des Artistes Français in Paris in 1921, where he was awarded a gold medal. Beginning in 1926, he also exhibited at the Salon des Indépendants as well as at the Salon de la Société Coloniale des Artistes Français. His early travels took him notably to Madagascar, where his work had a significant influence on local painting. In 1930, Louis Rollet was awarded the Prix d’Indochine, established in 1910 by the Société Coloniale des Artistes Français and reorganized in 1925 at the initiative of Victor Tardieu. The first year was devoted to traveling and exploring the region, while the second had to be spent in Hanoi, where the winner was required to teach at the Indochinese School of Fine Arts. This is how Rollet developed his body of work featuring Asian subjects, following in the tradition of the so-called “school of traveling painters.” His stay in Indochina thus gave rise to numerous compositions depicting landscapes, local religious practices, and scenes of daily life, as evidenced by this painting. In 1931, some of his works were exhibited at the International Colonial Exhibition in Paris. At the same time, Rollet joined the Indochinese School of Fine Arts in Hanoi as a professor. He taught drawing to the third and fourth classes and led oil painting courses for the fifth and sixth classes. Among his students were several artists who would go on to become major figures in modern Vietnamese painting, notably Lê Thị Lựu, Trần Bình Lộc, and Nguyễn Tường Lân. Born in Paris on May 3, 1895, Louis Rollet began his career as a painter under the guidance of the artist Charles Fouqueray (1869–1956). In 1921, he participated for the first time in the Salon des Artistes Français in Paris and won a gold medal. Beginning in 1926, he continued to exhibit his works at the Salon des Indépendants as well as at the Salon of the Society of French Colonial Artists. His early travels took him to many places, particularly Madagascar, where his works had a significant influence on local painting. In 1930, Louis Rollet won the Indochina Prize, established in 1910 under the auspices of the Society of French Colonial Artists and reorganized in 1925 at the initiative of Victor Tardieu. According to the rules, the first year was devoted to traveling and exploring the region, while the second year had to be spent in Hanoi, where the winner was invited to teach at the Indochina School of Fine Arts. It was against this backdrop that Rollet enriched his artistic career with works on Asian themes, continuing the tradition of the school known as the “traveling painters.” His time in Indochina inspired him to create numerous works depicting landscapes, local religious practices, and scenes of daily life, as illustrated by the painting currently on display. In 1931, several of his works were exhibited at the International Colonial Exhibition in Paris. Alongside his artistic work, Rollet joined the Indochina School of Fine Arts in Hanoi as a lecturer. He taught drawing to the third and fourth cohorts, while also leading oil painting classes for the fifth and sixth cohorts. Among his students were many artists who later became leading figures in modern Vietnamese painting, notably Lê Thị Lựu, Trần Bình Lộc, and Nguyễn Tường Lân. H: 59 x W: 92 cm