BENOUVILLE Léon- Achile - The Moulin D’andé And The Washerwomen Benouville

The washerwomen at the Moulin d'Andé on the banks of the Seine. important oil on canvas by the artist Achille Benouville, with wooden frame and gilded stucco. Remained in the artist's family and his descendants. Monogram bottom left. Family member attribution label on reverse. Léon Achille Benouville (1785-1857) French painter, Ecole des Beaux Arts de Paris, he painted landscapes of the Fontainebleau region at the start of his career and exhibited at the Salon in 1834. He made several trips to Italy, including one accompanied by Camille Corot and won the Grand Prix de Rome in 1845. After his stay at the Villa Medici, he remained in Italy for 25 years while exhibiting regularly in the French Salons. He will apprentice with his younger brother, the artist François Léon Benouville, and Léon Coignet. His works are present in many museums.

The old seigneurial mill of Andé, whose existence can be attested since the 15th century, dates in its current configuration from the 18th century. It is said between Rouen and Evreux in the Eure department. One of its first destinations was the water supply of Château Gaillard. Designed using the hanging wheel technique, a feature which makes it unique in Europe, it is listed as a historic monument. At one time owned by the industrialist Louis Renault, it is today a cultural center, has hosted numerous writers in residence, an illustrious place, it also served as a setting in numerous films, notably for Truffaut (The 400 Blows as well as Julescet Jim) but also for Rappenau and Louis Malle.