Henri Le Sidaner (1862-1932)

Le Sidaner was a Symbolist, who later adapted Neo-Impressionism to his own purposes, beginning about 1898. He is, therefore, a Neo-Impressionist like Henri Martin and many others, and his work has substantial quality. He came to Paris in 1880 and studied with Cabanel for two years. He then moved to Etaples, near Boulogne, for the next twelve years. Upon his return to Paris in 1894, he absorbed the fin-de-siècle fondness for twilight scenes, which became his speciality. He was influenced by Eugène Carrière and Whistler. By about 1900 Le Sidaner was the French counterpart to the Italian 'Divisionisti', like Grubicy de Dragon and Pelizza, although there was probably no direct relationship. He was awarded a bronze medal at the Exposition Universelle in 1900; made an Officer of the Legion d'Honneur in 1930 and elected a Member of the Institute. He was also a Professor at the Académie des Beaux-Arts.