Jan LAVEZZARI (1876-1947) - Lot 45

Jan LAVEZZARI (1876-1947) "Dunes". Oil on panel Signed lower right. Dimensions :45 x 54 cm. Jan Lavezzari (1876-1947) was a French painter best known for his seascapes, dunescapes and depictions of everyday fishermen's life. Born in Paris on January 3, 1876, he was the son of Émile Lavezzari, an architect famous for having built the Berck-sur-Mer maritime hospital. After studying at the École Centrale de Paris, Jan chose to follow an artistic path, influenced by Francis Tattegrain, leader of the Berck School, a pictorial realist movement centered on maritime scenes and the laborious life of the coast. Settling in Berck in 1900, he became fully integrated into local life and a key figure on the regional art scene. Between 1906 and 1909, he made a name for himself by creating the murals in the marriage hall of Berck town hall, now a listed historic monument. His works, imbued with poetry and sensitivity, often convey a misty or nocturnal atmosphere, giving fishing or beach scenes an almost mystical aura, while remaining faithful to the reality of everyday maritime life. A painter as well as an aeronautical pioneer, Jan Lavezzari was a curious and inventive spirit. On February 15, 1904, he attempted a hang-glider flight from the dunes of Berck with an aircraft of his own design. This daring experiment made him one of the French precursors of aviation, although his work in this field has remained little known to the general public. Despite a serious car accident in the 1930s, Jan Lavezzari continued to paint until the end of his life. He died on May 11, 1947, leaving behind a prolific body of work deeply rooted in the maritime identity of northern France. His paintings are now housed in several museums, including the Musée de France d'Opale Sud in Berck and the Musée du Touquet-Paris-Plage. In tribute to his artistic and local heritage, the Lycée polyvalent de Berck-sur-Mer now bears his name. Provenance: Estate of Docteur Marius Mozer by descent.