Biography
About the Artist
Jean-Baptiste-Armand Guillaumin (1841–1927) was born in Paris on February 16, 1841. Shortly after, his family moved to Moulins, where he received his early education. Following his father’s wishes, Guillaumin returned to Paris to study business while living with relatives. During this time, he also pursued drawing classes with his family’s support.
While working for the Orléans Company, Guillaumin attended the Académie Suisse, where he met Cézanne and Pissarro. In 1868, he balanced his job as a government official in the Ministry of Public Affairs with his passion for painting. He participated in the first Impressionist Exhibition in 1874, showcasing works such as Sunset in Ivry. His contributions to later Impressionist exhibitions from 1877 to 1886 reflected his close ties to the movement.
In 1887, Guillaumin discovered La Creuse and decided to settle there. A turning point came in 1891 when he won 100,000 francs in the lottery, allowing him to dedicate himself entirely to painting. He subsequently traveled extensively, visiting Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, Agay, Brittany, the Auvergne, and the Netherlands, which inspired many works.
Although considered a lesser-known Impressionist, Guillaumin’s use of bold, vivid colors brought a distinctive energy to his depictions of industrial scenes, such as factories and railway stations. Later, during his years in La Creuse, his palette shifted to include softer greens and purples. Guillaumin passed away in Paris on June 26, 1927.