The artistic legacy of Marcel Le Toiser, a painter from Perros-Guirec, continues to unfold as two more of his works have been recently discovered. His artwork is currently being showcased in an exhibition at Saint-Brieuc, bringing renewed attention to this relatively unknown master whose extensive body of work includes approximately 350 paintings, 60 sculptures, and more than 200 drawings and engravings.
One of the most remarkable discoveries is "Le tantad du pardon de la Clarté," a large-format oil painting that was found in a Breton attic. Pierre Kerlévéo, a specialist on Marcel Le Toiser's work and the painting's new owner, describes it with enthusiasm: "A unique piece, magnificent, of incredible force. You can feel the breath, the wind, the heat." He purchased the artwork from a gallery in Perros-Guirec, which had acquired it from someone familiar with its history.
The painting's previous owner revealed its journey through a personal note: "The painting remained for 25 years in my mother's attic in Cesson. I had stored it there following my divorce and never retrieved it until last March when we had to empty the house for a move. Before that, it spent 15 years in Saint-Cast-le-Guildo in my family home." Kerlévéo describes the scene as a synthesis of local life and traditions, depicting both the tantad and the pardon religious festivals.
The second discovery came from an unexpected source in Spain. During the exhibition opening in early July at Saint-Brieuc, a Trégor region art collector living in Spain informed organizers that he owned four paintings by the artist. Among them was a particularly striking work featuring the bell tower of Saint-Jacques Church at its center. Kerlévéo describes this piece as "very modern," noting its fascinating blend of traditional and contemporary elements.
"Marcel Le Toiser never ceases to amaze us," Kerlévéo enthusiastically explains. "It's a very modern painting that mixes tradition, with a character on the right that could evoke the arrival of the monk Saint Guirec in the region, and on the left a woman who appears to be African, judging by her hair and clothing, all in a style reminiscent of Picasso's cubist period." This eclectic mixing of styles reflects Le Toiser's provocative nature and the playful character he displayed during his youth as part of the "fig tree gang."
The nickname "fig tree gang" derives from a fig tree located near Saint-Jacques Church, where Le Toiser and his fellow "footeux" (a local term for the famous local team members) were known and appreciated as entertainers and pranksters between 1935 and 1940. Marie-Jo and Philippe Videau, other enthusiasts of local history, confirm this aspect of the artist's character, describing him as both provocative and eclectic.
These recent discoveries add to a growing list of Le Toiser works being found around the world. Previous finds include paintings discovered in Réunion, a collection of drawings in Tréguier, and other works found in Germany and England. "The one who loved the Trégor region so much, painting its beautiful landscapes with such talent, continues to make headlines with surprises every month," notes Kerlévéo, who actively tracks down Le Toiser's works.
Kerlévéo explains that this stylistic diversity shouldn't surprise anyone familiar with Le Toiser's work: "His incredible talent allowed him to do this. An exhibition of Le Toiser's work can make you think that ten painters in as many different styles have been hung in the same place!" This versatility demonstrates the artist's remarkable range and technical mastery across various artistic movements and approaches.
The artist, though still relatively unknown to the general public, is gradually emerging from obscurity thanks to dedicated publications and exhibitions like the current showcase. The exhibition, titled "Marcel Le Toiser: A Painter in Perros-Guirec," runs until the end of September at Maison Saint-Yves in Saint-Brieuc, where visitors can view the famous tantad painting among other works. The exhibition is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 12:15 PM and 1:30 PM to 5:45 PM, and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, with free admission.
