Leo Gausson

As an innovative artist, Léo Gausson enthusiastically partook in two artistic movements, which emerged nearly at the same time, Néo-impressionism and Synthetism based on very different aesthetic conceptions.

Léo Gausson was born on 14th February 1860 in Lagny-sur-Marne, a town situated at about eighteen miles from Paris. He first learnt sculpturing by attending evening classes at the Ecole Nationale des Arts Décoratifs. He made a great number of medallions during his lifetime. At a young age, he started studying paintings, which influenced him in several ways. At the Ecole de Barbizon, Gausson was also inspired by contemporary painting. His palette lightened which highlighted his comprehensive knowledge of Impressionists. He made the acquaintance of two xylographers: Maximilien Luce and Cavallo Peduzzi. He showed a great interest in the study of scientific principles applied to art. It marked the beginning of Neo-impressionism. Its most eminent representatives, Seurat and Signac, supported by Pissaro, formed the initial group. Gausson was thus one of the very first artists to devote himself to Neo-impresionism. He continued his research and logically moved towards Synthetism, which enabled him to depict the intensity of certain effects of nature. Due to precarious conditions of living, Gausson was compelled to leave France. In 1901 he joined the colonial administration. It proved a formidable obstacle for him to go on with his work. He lived in French Guinea for about eight years. Gausson was one of the first painters to bring paintings back from this African region, which was then unknown by Westerners. His art was mostly based on painting. As a complete artist, he used other means of expression such as drawing, engraving and sculpture.