Biography
Artworks
Movements

Gustave Violet

France • 1873 - 1952

Gustave Violet (1873-1952), witness and actor of the modernity of Roussillon Art at the dawn of the 20th century, is one of the pillars of the Roussillon Regionalist Movement.

Biography

The sculptor and architect Gustave Violet is considered, after Aristide Maillol, as the principal modern sculptor of Roussillon.
Many of his works are scattered throughout the Catalan Country.
After attending the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris in the studio of Gaston Redon, Gustave Violet settled in Prades where he created the Sant Marti studio, a hub of intense creativity.
He received many renowned artists there: Monfreid, Maillol, Nonell, Russinyol, Terrus, Bausil, Codet… It was during this fruitful period that he drew inspiration from Catalan peasant life in terracotta sculptures.
Called to the front in 1914 as a war correspondent, at the age of 41
And since he is already an established artist, Gustave Violet returns weakened and depressed.
to civilian life at the end of the conflict.
He created numerous war memorials and, alongside Aristide Maillol,
renews this type of monument.
In particular, he created the Departmental War Memorial near the Palais des Congrès in Perpignan.
These works express more the suffering of the families than the glory of the combatants.
Violet also creates terracotta sculptures representing ordinary people in their moving simplicity: the shepherd, the Catalan woman with her "cantirs" (traditional Catalan singing), the mother helping her baby take its first steps…
In 1952 Gustave Violet died in Perpignan at the age of 79, he was buried in Thuir alongside his family.
Selflessness and modesty characterized Gustave Violet throughout his life, as well as his visceral and unwavering attachment to his land and his people.
His works are preserved at the Hyacinthe-Rigaud Museum in Perpignan, the Museum of Modern Art in Barcelona, as well as at the Víctor Balaguer Library-Museum and in numerous private collections.