A wonderful town scene of figures with horses and a cart by Léon Joseph Voirin. A cart driver dressed in blue is depicted at the centre of the scene leaning on a goods laden wagon whilst a custom’s officer (douanier) stands next to him. As they converse in front of the custom’s building (bureau de douane), another official kneels down to check the contents of the cart. Meanwhile, a brown dog can be seen standing to the left of the driver with its head turned to look out at the viewer. In the arches of the building a recruitment poster can just be made out. Voirin captures the play of light and shadow on the scene from the bright highlights on the white horse to the dappled sunlight through trees on the cart and building.

Léon Joseph Voirin was born in Nancy on 19 October, 1833. He was twin brother to the artist Jules Antoine Voirin (1833-1898).Their father was a merchant which enabled his sons to receive a good education. Voirin and his brother both showed a talent for art from an early age, but initially began studying medicine. However, by the age of 25 they decided to pursue their interest in art and went to Paris where they became pupils of Eugène Guérard (1821-1866). After spending 2 years in Paris, they returned to Nancy living at the family home at 7 Rue des Michottes.

Influenced by Guérard, Voirin, began painting scenes of civilian life featuring figures with horses as well as races and parades. In addition to genre scenes, he also painted some military subjects. Leon made his debut exhibition in Nancy from 1866 and started exhibiting at the Paris Salon in 1874. As well as painting in oil he also worked in watercolours.

The brothers lived and worked together in Nancy at their studio and on painting trips and kept up the practice of sketching in notebooks throughout their life. They were also admirers and collectors of the impressionist movement whose influence can be seen in their work. In 1886, they collaborated with the furniture designer Louis Majorelle on the decoration of several screens for patrons that included the King of Holland.

Leon died in 1887, and was buried at Preville cemetery. Examples of his work can be found at the museum of Nancy, which also holds their collection of sketchbooks, as well as the museums at Beziers and Toulouse. A photograph of Leon and his brother at their studio in 1887 can be found at the Nancy Library.

© Benton Fine Art