Lot 84

Jozef Teodor Mousson (1887 - 1946) IN THE YARD

The work of this Slovak painter of French origin captures the landscape of Eastern Slovakia, including the habits and lives of the region’s people. His life and work is closely tied to Michalovce. In 1905-1909 he attended the Hungarian University of Fine Arts in Budapest (studying under Professor Ballo), and in 1913 he went on a study trip to Italy. He was a member of the Kunstverein and Union of Fine Artists in Slovakia. He created unique, remarkable compositions with female figures in folk costume placed in the center. This painting, full of life and capturing an authentically depicted scene, superbly represents the work of this artist, who was a member of the Nagybánya artists’ colony of plein air painters. In 1911 he settled in the Zemplín region, specifically in Michalovicíe, where he found his own paradise, with a landscape and rich native culture reminding him of his beloved Italy. His boldly portrayed scenes capture the diversity and enchanting colorfulness of local traditional life. This masterpiece full of action, magnificent details and glowing opulence excellently documents the local situation in the late 1920s, and the sensitive painterly execution is a quality example of the artist’s work.