Louis Paul Dessar, N.A.

Louis Paul Dessar, N.A.
American
(1867-1952)

Sheep and Russet Woods, oil on canvas, 24"x30", 29"x34" with original period frame, s.l.l. “Dessar”

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana. Best known for Tonalist agrarian paintings, especially farmers and their animals working in the fields. After studying in Paris, he returned to New York City in 1892 and was a story painter and portraitist. Was one of the leaders of Tonalism along with Bogert, Minor, and Kost. He spent most winters in NY and most summers in Becket Hill, near Old Lyme, CT. Inspired by Henry Ranger at Old Lyme. Dessar focused Barbizon Tonalist agrarian scenes of nature. He was nicknamed the “Millet of America” by other artists. After Impressionists took over the Griswold House in Old Lyme, Ranger moved his studio to Noank, near Mystic, in 1904, and associated with artists of that colony. Other Tonalists from Old Lyme, including Dessar and Jules Turcas, moved to Grassy Hill.

Studied: City College; National Academy of Design; studied under Bouguereau and Tony Robert-Fleury at French Academy and Ecole de Beaux-Arts in Paris.

Member: Salmagundi, 1895; Society of American Artists, 1898; associate of National Academy; Lotus Club, 1900; member of National Academy, 1906.

Exhibited: Rarely exhibited, but had show at public library of Old Lyme with Ranger, Talcott, Cohen, and Voorhees in 1902.

Awards: Third Class medal at Paris Salon of 1891; medal at Colombian Exposition in Chicago, 1893; honorable mention at Carnegie Institute of Pittsburg, 1897; second Hallgarten Prize at National Academy, 1899; first Hallgarten prize in 1900; Bronze medal at Pan-Am Exposition, 1901; and Silver in Charleston Exposition.

In the Collection of: San Diego Museum of Art; Yale University Art Gallery; National Gallery of Art; Smithsonian American Art Museum; Musees Nationaux Paris; University of Michigan Museum of Art; Brooklyn Museum of Art; National Academy of Design Museum; Metropolitan Museum of Art; Museum of Art at Brigham Young University; and Florence Griswold Museum.

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