Adolphe Albert
French, 1855-1938
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Adolphe Albert lived an interesting life, divided into two careers. On the one hand Albert was a career soldier who made his way through the ranks, from hunter in 1873, then promoted to lieutenant (1888), captain (1895), and battalion commander (1911). In August 1914, he took command of the 66th Territorial Infantry Regiment based in the Indre and took part in the First World War. In 1906 his service was recognized with the prestigious title of “Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur”, and then even further by being made an “Officier” in January 1918. During the campaign in North Africa, he met the artist Jean Veber, who became a close friend.
Albert took art classes in both the atelier of Léon Bonnat and of Fernand Cormon. Circa 1882-1883 he met Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, with whom he maintained a very close bond of friendship. The two men liked spending time in the same cafés and cabarets of Montmartre. In 1887 Albert exhibited at the “Salon des Indépendants” for the first time.
In October 1893 Adolphe Albert married Léontine Vert (Renée Vert, 1856-1930). That same year Lautrec painted the portrait of Mme. Albert (“La Modiste Renée Vert”). In February 1894 Lautrec and Albert visited museums in The Netherlands. And in December 1897 Albert executed a pencil portrait of his friend (now in Albi, Musée Toulouse-Lautrec). In turn Lautrec drew a lithographic portrat of Adolphe Albert, entitled “The Lithographer” or “The Good Engraver” (“Le Lithographe” or “Le Bon Graveur”).
From February 1891 Adolphe Albert, who had become primarily a printmaker, became the secretary of the “Society of French Painter-Engravers” (“Société des Peintres-Graveurs Français”).
After the death of Lautrec in 1901 Albert first moved to Giverny where he met Claude Monet. Later, he and his wife moved to Les Andelys, where he bought a house, “Villa Les Tilleuls”. After the war, the home became a gathering place for many friendly artists, such as Félix Vallotton and Jean-Eugène Clary.
Albert is remembered for his etchings, his woodcuts and his color monotypes. He also left many oil paintings of landscapes representing views of the Eure, Chateau-Gaillard and Andelys
(Paris, June 28th 1855 – Andelys, March 30th 1938)
A.k.a. Louis-Adolphe Albert