Description:

Georges Guillaume Roger (1867–1943) was a French painter. He studied in Paris with Jean–Léon Gérôme. He regularly exhibited his works at the Paris Salons. He worked in genre painting, portraiture, but also landscapes and marines. He created in the style of fin de siècle, and in his later work he was inspired by Breton and Dutch landscape themes.

Description of the painting:

The painting depicts a scene of a typical Breton house. Representing the “Black Band“ is Georges Guillaume Roger, who was a student of Jean–Léon Gérôme (teacher of, among others, Polish artist Vlastimil Hofmann, whose works are also in the Rogaline Gallery). Guillaume–Roger initially painted pictures in the characteristic style of the end of the century (fin de siècle). An example is “Toaleta“, which can also be found in our Gallery. Over time, the themes of Guillaume–Roger‘s paintings changed. The artist focused primarily on genre painting set in the fashionable realities of Brittany at the time. His works from pastel, airy and sensual, transformed into strong, distinct and characteristic ones.

The painting “Interior of Brittany“ through its triptych form refers to sacred painting and Gothic three–part altars. These connotations, in turn, emphasize and enhance the significance of the Breton home, which becomes a symbol and a stronghold of values.

In the main part, in the center of the painting we see a characteristic Breton fireplace in the form of a wall cabinet with a curtain. The life of the inhabitants concentrated around the fire. In winter it heated the cold interiors of the stone houses. On a daily basis it was used by the housewives to prepare meals. The left part of the triptych depicts a door. On the one hand it introduces the viewer to the chamber, to the sacrum sphere of the Breton house, inviting them to learn about it, and on the other – it allows the householders to contact the outside world, which is emphasized by the ajar curtain attached to the door window. The dominating element in the right part of the triptych is a typical Breton bed. This presentation acquires a very intimate, almost closed to strangers character thanks to it. It is worth paying attention to the form of the bed. Placing it in the niche, at the appropriate height in relation to the stone floor and additional shielding with curtains was to provide comfort and warmth to the inhabitants even during sleep. It was a necessary requirement due to the oceanic climate of the Breton Peninsula, abundant in gusty winds and rains.