Clément Castelli

Clément Castelli makes mountains the central subject of his painting, travelling through the French, Swiss and Italian Alps. His landscapes depict identifiable locations: the Chamonix Valley, La Meije and the Oisans, as well as the Matterhorn, to which he devotes numerous views. He also paints the Pyrenees, notably the Cirque de Gavarnie, Lac de Gaube and the Ossau Valley; he exhibits these paintings in Tarbes. To work in the high mountains, he often uses small, easily transportable panels, while also painting on canvas.

His training first takes him to the Académie libre de Rome, then to France, where he studies with the painters Jules Adler and Léon Bellemont. He later divides his life between France — particularly Paris and the Alps — and Italy. A stamp recorded on the reverse of his paintings places his studio, at least for a period, at 4, rue du Faubourg-du-Temple, in Paris. During a stay in Varzo in 1915, he discovers a 15th-century fresco in the parish church, concealed beneath a coat of limewash, and subsequently completes its restoration.

Castelli exhibits at the Salon des Indépendants from 1913 and then at the Salon des artistes français in 1921; in 1925, he co-organises the Italo-Suisse exhibition in Domodossola and also presents his work there. The town acquires two of his paintings for its museum. His involvement in the Société des Peintres de Montagne develops over the years: a member from 1927, he joins the board in 1929 and becomes exhibition commissioner in 1934, a position he holds until 1959. He takes part in the Salon d’hiver in 1942, 1946, 1947, 1949 and 1951. Among the distinctions awarded to him are a silver medal from the City of Paris at the Salon Violet in 1938, a vermeil medal presented by Victor Emmanuel III, and the titles of Officier d’Académie in 1933 and Officier de l’Instruction publique in 1948. Two landscapes by the artist are held at the Louvre.

Works recorded at auction

Dobiaschofsky

"In the Aiguilles Rouges. Mont Blanc massif".

Oil on canvas

Original catalogue wording

"Dans les Aiguilles Rouges. Massiv du Mont Blanc".
Öl auf Leinwand

Date to be documented

Catalogue reference — sale not confirmed

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