Les Aiguilles de Belle-Île
John RUSSELL: artist
Russell studied in London and Paris before moving in 1888 to Belle-Ile, an island off the coast of Brittany, where he lived from1888-1908. He was attracted by its wild landscape and the ever-changing water of the Atlantic Ocean. Les Aiguilles de Belle-Ile depicts the ‘needles’ (aiguilles) at Port-Coton, a dramatic rocky outcrop which was close to Russell’s home. The use of a high horizon to focus attention on the rocks and swirling sea is derived from Japanese prints, which were studied by many artists at the time. Russell’s close friendship with the painter Monet also influenced his style, as can be seen in his use of intense blues, greens and violets, and in his application of paint. “I am a painter of nature, of nature’s moods, of sunlight and the changing temper of the sea”, Russell said of himself. (August 2018)
John Peter Russell, was born in Sydney in 1858, and first trained as an engineer. He became financially independent following the death of his father in 1879, and decided to devote himself fulltime to art. Russell studied in London and Paris before moving to Belle-Ile, an island off the coast of Brittany, where he lived from 1888 until 1908.
Russell was attracted to Belle-Ile by its wild landscape and the ever-changing water of the Atlantic Ocean. This painting depicts the ‘needles’ (aiguilles) at Port-Coton, a dramatic rocky outcrop which was only a short distance from Russell’s home on the island. The use of a high horizon, focusing attention on the rocks and swirling sea, is derived from Japanese prints, which were a great influence on Impressionist artists.
Russell was very sociable, and he had close friendships with many of the most influential artists of his time, including van Gogh, Rodin, Matisse and Monet, as well as fellow Australian artist Tom Roberts. It was Russell’s friendship with Monet however that had the greatest influence on his painting style, as can be seen in his rendering of this scene in intense blues, greens and violets, and in his application of paint.
“I am a painter of nature, of nature’s moods, of sunlight and the changing temper of the sea”, Russell said of himself.
John Peter Russell, was born in Sydney in 1858, and first trained as an engineer. He became financially independent following the death of his father in 1879, and decided to devote himself fulltime to art. Russell studied in London and Paris before moving to Belle-Ile, an island off the coast of Brittany, where he lived from 1888 until 1908.
Russell was attracted to Belle-Ile by its wild landscape and the ever-changing water of the Atlantic Ocean. This painting depicts the ‘needles’ (aiguilles) at Port-Coton, a dramatic rocky outcrop which was only a short distance from Russell’s home on the island. The use of a high horizon, focusing attention on the rocks and swirling sea, is derived from Japanese prints, which were a great influence on Impressionist artists.
Russell was very sociable, and he had close friendships with many of the most influential artists of his time, including van Gogh, Rodin, Matisse and Monet, as well as fellow Australian artist Tom Roberts. It was Russell’s friendship with Monet however that had the greatest influence on his painting style, as can be seen in his rendering of this scene in intense blues, greens and violets, and in his application of paint.
“I am a painter of nature, of nature’s moods, of sunlight and the changing temper of the sea”, Russell said of himself.
Title
Les Aiguilles de Belle-Île
Artist/Maker and role
John RUSSELL: artist
Date
c 1890
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
64.8 x 63.8 cm (sight)
89.0 x 87.5 x 8.0 cm (framed)
89.0 x 87.5 x 8.0 cm (framed)
Credit line
Purchased with funds from the Great Australian Paintings Appeal, 1984
The State Art Collection, The Art Gallery of Western Australia
Accession number
1984/00P7