Louis Claude Malbranche

Born on September 3, 1790 in Caen / Died on November 4, 1838 in Caen.
Painter of animated landscapes and snow scenes.

The art of Louis-Claude Malbranche was strongly influenced by the 18th century and belongs to the artistic movement associated with Demarne, Swebach, and Taunay. However, he is most closely aligned with César Van Loo. Malbranche was a student of Prévôt and Bergeret, and he exhibited at the Salon from 1812 to 1838. His first snow landscape appeared in 1822. From then on, he became a specialist in snowy effects, seeking winter lighting conditions—an interest that led him in 1837 to depict mountainous regions such as the Vosges, the Mont Blanc massif, and Switzerland.

Deeply attached to Normandy, he painted in the Pays d’Auge (including Caen, Honfleur, and Trouville). He also left behind views of Brittany, Picardy, and Seine-et-Marne through his visits to Meaux and Coulommiers. In 1830, Malbranche took part in the Luxembourg Exhibition with a view of the outskirts of Paris and another of Honfleur.

Museums: Bar-le-Duc, Musée Barrois; Belfort, Musée d’Art et d’Histoire; Dijon, Musée Magnin; Musée de Laval; Musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen; Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bernay; Musée des Beaux-Arts d’Angers; Musée du Vieux Manoir d’Orbec; Historisches Museum der Pfalz (Museum of the Palatinate); Musée Carnavalet.