Emmanuel Victor Auguste de la Villeon

French (1858-1944)

Emmanuel Victor Auguste Marie de la Villeon was born on May 29, 1858 in Fougeres, France. He left his home village in 1880 and went to Paris to pursue his interest in art. De la Villeon entered the Academy Julian where he studied with French artist Alfred Phillippe Roll. To inspire his artistic endeavors, de la Villeon traveled throughout Europe, including Britain and Switzerland, painting landscapes and marine scenes. He first exhibited at the Salon of the Independents in 1888 and then again in 1890. He also showed his work at the Salon of the National Society of Fine Arts in 1908 and the Autumn Salon in 1903. De la Villeon painted primarily from nature and had a noted tendency toward impressionism. His work is known for its luminous quality of light and bright colors.