Born in 1867, François-Xavier Roussel, better known as Ker-Xavier Roussel, was a modern French artist. He received his education at the renowned Lycée Condorcet in Paris, where he met his friend and fellow future great painter Édouard Vuillard, as well as Maurice Denis. Determined to become a painter, he took courses at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and at the Académie Julian, where he also met Pierre Bonnard. It was here that the famous group of Nabis formed in 1888, guided by the synthetic ideas of Paul Gauguin and inspired by Paul Sérusier. Ker-Xavier Roussel was part of this movement from 1890 to 1896, producing both paintings and theater decorations, particularly for the symbolist theater of his friend Lugné-Poe. In 1897, the art dealer Ambroise Vollard took him under his wing.

At the turn of the century, Roussel moved away from the Nabi style towards compositions centered around mythological themes, using lighter colors inspired by his travels on the Côte d'Azur. He dedicated the last forty years of his life to depicting fables, nymphs, satyrs, and nature. Outside of his studio, he created decorations for several buildings, including the Museum of Fine Arts in Winterthur, the curtain for the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, the Villa de Monteux in Antibes, Mr. Rosegart's hotel, the Palais des Nations in Geneva, and the Théâtre de Chaillot, collaborating with Pierre Bonnard and Édouard Vuillard. Roussel passed away at the age of 76 in 1944 at his home in L’Étang-la-Ville.

Valuations and Appraisals for François-Xavier Roussel

François-Xavier Roussel's works are valued for their vibrant representation of mythological themes and their place within the Nabis movement. Prices can vary based on the rarity, size, and condition of each piece, with his mythological and nature scenes particularly sought after by collectors.

Contact our expert for a free and confidential valuation of your François-Xavier Roussel artworks