Paysage Herault, France

Ferdinand Alexander Wust 1837-1876, was a Dutch born American painter. Wust learnt to paint from his father Christoffel Wust 1801 -1853, he emigrated to America in the 1850's but returned to Europe to exhibit and paint and is thought he remained in America until 1876 when thereafter he returned to France and Belgium to remain until his death. There is certainly a long standing mis apprehension regarding the travel biography of Wust. He certainly exhibited in America and Europe, including England, however it is not necessarily the practice for artists to travel to the exhibitions that their works are shown. This painting is in the French manner which in the mid 19th Century French artists accomplishments was becoming the norm, loose brushwork and brightly coloured, impressionist style as with the likes of Corot, Fontanasi, Rousseau, etc. The Barbizon School began to dominate the market from this point in the Century on and we are wondering if this painting is a fist attempt at Wust to feel his way into the European market. It certainly is outside his familiar American pictures which were typical of the mid 19th Century classical school of painting, much derided by the anti Salon French painters of the time. This particular painting has been previously exhibited in various locations, but it appears not to have been exhibited in America, which we deduce that it was either produced after he left America or it was painted during a trip to France before returning to Europe for the rest of his life. It seems strange for Wust to have left America when he was painting to some achievement and return not to the land of his birth but to France and Belgium where he eventually died. I am sure this quest for his entire biography will eventually be solved , he is a much appreciated artist in America but little is known of him in the European art World. The painting has been conserved at some point in the past but is offered here in a very fair and good enough condition, not requiring further work, however the frame is a later contemporary addition but acceptable and has been left as is for the new owner. This picture is signed and dated.