Le Marcheur

19th-century French oil painting on carton, signed Georges Maroniez (1865-1933).

This atmospheric countryside scene captures a solitary figure walking along a path at sunset, bathed in the golden light that breaks through the evening clouds. The contrast between light and shadow lends depth to the landscape, with verdant fields illuminated by the last rays of the day.

Maroniez’s expressive brushstrokes and muted palette of grays, blues, and warm yellows create a serene, contemplative mood. The silhouette of the lone figure adds a quiet sense of solitude, drawing the viewer into the scene. Framed in a gilded wood frame that enhances its luminosity, this piece beautifully reflects the artist’s ability to capture fleeting moments of rural life.

About Georges Maroniez (1865-1933)

Born in Douai on January 17, 1865, and died in Paris on December 11, 1933, he was a French painter, photographer, and inventor.

Georges Maroniez was the son of a sugar industrialist and showed a strong interest in art from an early age, supported by his father despite the preference for a legal career. After studying law, he became a magistrate while continuing his artistic training. He was a student at the Douai School of Fine Arts and later under the guidance of Pierre Billet, where he met the painter Adrien Demont. It was through Demont that Maroniez discovered the coastal landscapes of Wissant, joining the School of Wissant, a group of artists inspired by the Opal Coast, including Fernand and Marie Stievenart.

Maroniez exhibited for the first time at the Salon of Douai in 1887, and later in Paris with his painting Soleil couchant à Esquerchin. With the support of Adrien Demont, he became a member of the Société des artistes français in 1889. His work, initially influenced by naturalism, is known for its seascapes and scenes of everyday life among fishermen, depicting both the peaceful and stormy aspects of the sea.

Inventive, Maroniez also took an interest in photography and invented several cameras, including the Sphynx, which he used to capture coastal scenes. These photographs served as the basis for many of his paintings. During World War I, he was mobilized and awarded the Legion of Honor in 1918. After the war, Maroniez settled in Paris, where he focused on Breton scenes.

His body of work, comprising around 800 paintings, is housed in various museums, including those in Cambrai and Douai.  Georges Maroniez passed away in 1933, leaving behind a poignant depiction of the life of fishermen and a vanishing era.

• Overall Size: 12.5" x 15.7" / 32.5cm x 40.5cm.
• Size without the frame: 6.2" x 9.8" / 16.5cm x 25cm.
• Country: France.
  
• Signed: Georges Maroniez (1865-1933).
• Date: Early 20th century.
• Materials: Oil painting on carton with a modern light wooden frame.  
• Condition: The artwork and its frame are in very good condition despite an impact on the inside of the frame in the lower right corner. 
• Shipping: This painting includes free shipping. An additional fee is applied for Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.