Auguste Lauzet, Monticelli & van Gogh

Rediscovered Impressionist

Writing in 1884 the art critic Paul Alexis described a particular interest in two young artists Charles Angrand and Marie Auguste Lauzet, “two impressionists… two true colour revolutionaries" suggesting they owed their style to Édouard Manet. Unlike Angrand, Lauzet painted infrequently and before his premature death in 1898, devoted much of his career to making the prints that would amplify the reach of great artists and significant movements. Forgotten by most, but esteemed by his colleagues, it is telling that Monet, Degas, Camille Pissarro, Rodin all donated works for his charity sale in 1895.

Van gogh & Lauzet

Between December 1889 and van Gogh’s death in July 1890, Auguste Lauzet features in 16 of his letters, with Vincent’s brother suggesting that the two artists share a studio in Paris. He also told him of Lauzet’s intentions to visit him in Provence. Though Lauzet never managed to visit the asylum at Saint Remy, he was among the first to see the visionary landscapes he painted there and was one of the few to attend his funeral.  

Both artists bonded over a shared understanding of Provence and of the colourful, textured paintings of Adolphe Monticelli, who Lauzet knew from his early years in Marseille and whose artistic footsteps van Gogh had followed in the final two years of his life. With the help of Theo van Gogh, Lauzet published the first volume of prints after Monticelli’s floral arrangments. He promised Vincent a copy; Vincent gave him 2 drawings in return.

“I hope that Mr. Lauzet will come, I very much want to make his acquaintance. I trust in his opinion when he says that it’s Provence...”

Vincent to Theo van Gogh, 1st February 1890

"I also come to ask you a favor. A comrade, Lauzet, very ill at the moment, is forced by the state of his health to stay in the south at La Garde. As he is not very fortunate, we have decided to make a sale for his benefit. I would appreciate it very much if you could donate something. You will be in good company: Puvis, Rodin, Pissarro, Signac, etc. Tell me if that is possible."

Maximilien Luce to Henri Edmond Cross, December 1894