Maxime Maufra (1861-1918) - Bords du Loire - L.F10.1946.0.0 - Leicester Museum ^ Art Gallery

М. Mofra began painting at the age of 18, influenced by two artists from his home town of Nantes, the brothers Charles and Alfred Leduc. At first he was an amateur painter. As a professional businessman, he only painted in his spare time between 1884 and 1890. It was during these years that Mofra was introduced to the artistic phenomenon of Impressionism. Mofra exhibited his works at the Paris Salon in 1886, where they were noticed and praised by Octave Mirbeau. In the same year, as a participant in the Paris Salon, Mofra was invited to take part in the Nantes Exhibition of Fine Arts, which was held every three years and included works by renowned masters such as Eugène Boudin, Léon Bonne, Pierre Peuve de Chavanne, Jules Delaunay and Emile Desaunay, with whom Mofra was to enjoy a close friendship. In 1890, M. Mofra became a professional artist. He left Nantes to live and work in Brittany, where he met Paul Gauguin and Paul Sérusier. Returning to Paris from Brittany in 1892, Maufra was the first artist to settle in the famous Bateau-Lavoir studio in Montmartre, which later became a Parisian artists' residence. His studio immediately became a meeting place for his friends, especially Desaunay, Aristide Briand and the poet Victor-Emile Michelet. From 1904, Pablo Picasso lived and worked in this building. In 1894, M. Mofra had his first solo exhibition in Paris, at the Le Barts de Boutville gallery. In 1895, Mofra began a business relationship with Paul Durand-Ruel, who became his art dealer and remained so throughout his life, organising exhibitions of the artist's work. In 1896, Mofra exhibited again at the Salon de Paris. In 1916, M. Mofra was awarded the honorary title of "Artist of the Navy".