Maxime Maufra was a French landscape and marine painter, etcher and lithographer, born on May 17, 1861, in Nantes. His full name was Maximilien Maufra. He first began painting at the age of 18, inspired by the works of the Impressionists. Maufra initially worked in business, but his love for art led him to become a full-time painter by the age of 30.
Maufra discovered the Brittany coast in 1886 and was deeply influenced by its rugged beauty and the lives of the fishermen. Although he began his career with a naturalist approach, he later incorporated more of the Impressionist style, particularly after his first trip to Pont-Aven in 1888, where he met Paul Gauguin and was introduced to the Pont-Aven School. He was especially taken with the work of the Post-Impressionists and their use of color and form.
Throughout the 1890s, Maufra continued to explore the coasts of France, from Brittany to Normandy, painting landscapes and seascapes. He exhibited at the Paris Salon and also participated in the Independent Artists' Salon. His work began to gain recognition, and he attracted the attention of the influential art dealer Paul Durand-Ruel, who purchased several of his paintings.
In 1895, Maufra had his first solo exhibition, which was held at Le Barc de Boutteville gallery. His success continued to grow, and in 1898, Durand-Ruel organized another exhibition for Maufra in Paris. By this time, Maufra had fully developed his style, characterized by bold coloration, dynamic brushstrokes, and a solid structure in his compositions.
At the turn of the century, Maufra still sought new landscapes and seascapes to capture in his work. He traveled to various regions, including the South of France and the coasts of North Africa. His work was not limited to oil painting; he was also an accomplished printmaker, producing etchings and lithographs.
Maxime Maufra's last years were marked by a return to a more tranquil and harmonious style, with a gentler palette and a peaceful atmosphere prevailing in his compositions. He continued to exhibit widely and remained actively involved in the French art scene until his death on May 23, 1918, in Poncé-sur-le-Loir. His works are now held in many important collections around the world, including the Musée d'Orsay in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
