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LUIGI LOIR
French
(1845 - 1916)
Between 1852, when Napoleon III came into power, until 1914
when Europe fell under the horror and desolation of World War I, Paris
experienced a time of opulence which has become known as Belle Epoque,
"The Age of Beauty". Under the direction of architect, Hausmann,
and landscapist, Alphand, the boulevards, buildings and parks of Paris
were refurbished. Citizens experienced greater wealth with the economic
boom and had the money to spend on art and luxuries that reflected their
newly designed city. Along with such great artists as Monet, Degas, Sisley,
Renoir, Manet, Beraud, Cortes and Galien-Laloue, Luigi Loir specialized
in depicting the bustling Paris street scenes. In his works, Loir caught
and expressed the many aspects of Paris life at all hours of the day.
Though some thought him excessively methodical, he was undeniably endowed
with exceptional powers of observation and craftsmanship.
Loir was born December 22, 1845 in Goritz, Austria and he died February
9, 1916 in Paris. He began his first formal art education in 1853 at the
Beaux-Art Academy.
Upon finishing his studies in 1865, Loir had his debut in the Salon of
Paris with " Paysage a Villiers-sur Seine" for which he received
the highest acclaim. Loir then enrolled into studies under Jean Amable
Amedee Pastelot (1810-1870) to become a mural painter. He became a very
popular ceiling and mural painter. One of Loir's first commissions was
to paint the murals and ceilings at the Chateaux du Diable in 1866.
Many of Loir’s works, which include oils, watercolors, and lithographs,
were acquired by the city of Paris and by French museums. During the Salon
des Sciences at the Hotel de Ville, Loir exhibited “Les Preparatifs
de la fete foraine.” The painting overwhelmed the museums. Loir had
finally received the recognition he was due. Their response would also
influence the Municipal Council of Paris to purchase to “Le Marche
a la Ferraille”, the city of Paris would acquire “La Rue de
la Pitie, vue du Val de Grace” and The Empress of Russia to purchase
the watercolor entitled “The Celebration of the Throne”.
In 1870, he was commissioned into the military to record the battles of
Bouret. Loir concentrated exclusively on painting views of Paris. In these
works, Loir caught and expressed the many faces of Paris, at all hours
of the day. Though some thought him excessively methodical, he was undeniably
endowed with exceptional powers of observation and craftsmanship. It was
because of his work during this campaign of 1870, that Loir was elected
to be the official painter of the Boulevards of Paris. This boosted his
career and reputation. In 1879 in was awarded the Bronze metal from the
Exposant Fidele des Artistes Francais. Loir was also elected into the
Legion of Honor in 1898.
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