Maximilien LUCE (1858-1941) - Lot 57

Maximilien LUCE (1858-1941) Landscape with a stream and a church Ink on paper, signed lower left. H_14 cm W_11.8 cm Maximilien Luce, born in Paris on February 13, 1858, was a French painter, engraver and poster artist, a major figure in the Impressionist and later Neo-Impressionist movements. Born into a modest family, he began working as a wood engraver and lithographer at an early age to support himself, while attending evening classes at the Beaux-Arts in Paris. In the 1880s, Luce met Georges Seurat and Paul Signac, which led him to adopt pointillism, a technique of juxtaposing small touches of pure color to create luminous, vibrant effects. He became one of the leading exponents of this movement in France, taking part in numerous exhibitions, including the Impressionist and Indépendants.Luce is noted for his ability to depict both urban and industrial life and nature. His famous works include scenes of Paris and its working-class districts, seascapes, portraits and engravings that reflect his social commitment and interest in the working class. This attention to detail and social sensitivity earned him a special place among the Neo-Impressionists.Parallel to his painting, Luce was a convinced anarchist militant, which influenced his choice of subjects and his depiction of workers and everyday life. He continued to produce and exhibit until the 1930s, blending pointillist technique and poetic sensibility, even after the decline of the movement.