Adolphe Joseph Thomas Monticelli (October 14, 1824 – June 29, 1886) was born in Marseilles, France. Monticelli came from a modest family of Italian extradition and inherited a spirited southern temperament. He studied painting at the École Municipale de Dessin from 1842 to 1846.
At that time, the school was directed by Emile Loubon who encouraged his students to paint directly from nature.
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| Adolphe Joseph Thomas Monticelli |
Monticelli moved to Paris in 1846 at the age of twenty-two and entered the École des Beaux-Arts under Delaroche. However his style was far more deeply affected by his work in the Louvre, where he spent much time copying paintings by the old masters.
After three years in Paris Monticelli returned in 1849 to Marseilles and spent greater part of his time there until 1863. He then re-established himself in Paris and stayed there for seven years. In 1856 he met Diaz de la Pena, who encouraged him to use bolder colors and a heavier texture.
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| The Court of the Princess |
Monticelli is regarded as a forefather of Abstract Expressionism due to his liberal use of dazzling colors applied with thick impasto. Among his panting: The Court of the Princess, Flowers’ in a Blue Vase, Four Figures.
Adolphe Monticelli
