Mathurin Méheut (Lamballe 1882 - Paris 1958), showed early signs of artistic talent and graduated from the école régionale des Beaux-Arts de Rennes at age 20.   Though working in Paris, he never forgot his native Bretagne, a primary source of inspiration for the painter-decorator.  Early in his career, he contributed to the prestigious Art et Décoration Magazine.  His work in Roscoff gave birth to the book Etude de la mer, flore et faune de la Manche et de l’Océan and to a 1913 exhibit in Paris, leading to public recognition of his art.  He received a prestigious travel grant from the Albert Kahn Foundation and embarked for Japan, but his trip was interrupted by the war. 

Between the two World Wars, Mathurin Méheut is at the peak of his career as a decorator, illustrator and ceramist.  In 1921, he becomes the official painter for the Marine Department and, in 1925, begins his work with naval companies, decorating their ships.  His reputation leads him to illustrate books for such authors as Maurice Genevoix, Colette or Pierre Loti.  A passionate ceramist, he worked at Henriot in Quimper, at the Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres (National Porcelain Factory) and at Villeroy et Boch in Sarre.

In the 1940's, he teaches at the École des Beaux-Arts de Rennes, serves as decorator for the Institut de Géologie de Rennes and completes what is considered to be his masterpiece, the illustration of Florian Le Roy's Vieux métiers bretons.

How does Méheut work?  Witness of a changing world, he travels in France and abroad, with a profound fondness for Bretagne.  On site, preferably outdoors, he paints the essential with minimal means and uncommon speed.  Back in his Paris studio, he explores, develops and refines this abundance of paintings, sketches and drawings. 

Faithful to veracity and haunted by the scope of his work, Meheut's art transcends documentary research.  If the images he depicts can sometimes appear common, his vision, respect and attention, the powerful poetry of his work, reach near-symbolic heights.

Today, the preservation of his work owes much to the Mathurin Méheut Museum, created in 1972 by the Association Les Amis de Mathurin Méheut, with generous donations by the artist's daughter, Maryvonne Méheut.

Please visit the Calendar Events section for information on the annual exhibit.