Georges d'Espagnat, 1870-1950, JEUNE FILLE AU PUITS, signed with the initials, oil on canvas, 72.

Georges d'Espagnat, 1870-1950, JEUNE FILLE AU PUITS, signed with the initials, oil on canvas, 72.5 by 76.5cm.; 28.5 by 30.125in. Provenance, Private Collection, Switzerland, The authenticity of this work has been confirmed by Jean-Dominique Jacquemond. Born in Melun in 1870, Georges d'Espagnat shunned the traditional art establishment. He studied part-time at the Academie Colarossi in Paris but was mostly self-taught. Proud of his reputation as an Independant, he was fiercely concerned with affirming his originality. , He was influenced primarily by the French Impressionists and became close friends with Renoir, Signac, Cross, Valtat and later with Denis, Bonnard and Vuillard. During the 1890s, he exhibited at the Salon des Refuses, the Salon des Independants and took part in the Impressionist and Symbolist exhibitions held at Le Barc de Bonteville in 1894-95. D'Espagnat's subject matter comprised mostly studies from nature, women, children and flowers. The present work is typical of his expressive use of colour and gesture in his painting.