Paul-José Gosselin, who became the first professional artist-painter to settle in Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue in the Manche department of France, passed away on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at the age of 90. The distinguished artist had called the coastal commune his home for more than 60 years after discovering it somewhat by chance while working on a fresco restoration project in nearby Calvados.
Gosselin was a graduate of the École nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris and studied in the workshop of renowned artist Fernand Léger during the 1950s. After earning his diploma, he specialized as a restorer of frescoes and mural paintings. His path to Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue began during a restoration project involving works by Guillaume Fouace in Montfarville. "I participated in a restoration of Guillaume Fouace's works in Montfarville. I went for a walk in Saint-Vaast, and it was love at first sight. It became my paradise," he recalled in an interview with La Presse de la Manche on July 21, 2019.
What captivated Gosselin most about Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue was its unique lighting conditions. "I was fascinated by the lights, which reminded me of Dutch paintings," the artist explained. Initially, he visited the town periodically, but his stays became increasingly frequent until he finally settled there permanently in 1963, making him the first professional artist-painter to establish residence in the commune.
Even decades later, Gosselin remained enchanted by the town's natural beauty. "I was fascinated by the lights, which reminded me of Dutch paintings. Over the years, the marina has changed the landscape, but we still have very subtle lighting here. We're lucky to have an island right in front of the port, which is rare. And I think this natural charm of the landscape is one of the community's assets," he explained in the 2019 interview.
Beyond his artistic pursuits, Gosselin was known as a man who didn't hold back his opinions or keep his thoughts to himself. Politically engaged on the left, he created several cultural action groups during the 1980s. In the manner of a local Honoré Daumier, he used his art to critique the municipal government through caricatures that he displayed in his studio on rue des Thins. For his workspace, the artist rejected the commercial notion of a gallery, preferring instead the concept of a museum with paid admission.
Gosselin leaves behind a rich body of work that includes diverse frescoes and paintings, ranging from religious subjects to landscapes. His legacy as a strong-minded spirit and artist of integrity has left an indelible mark on the artistic community of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue.
Following a religious ceremony held on Thursday, August 21, at the church of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, the artist was buried in the cemetery of Pierres, in Calvados. His passing marks the end of an era for the artistic community he helped establish in the picturesque Norman coastal town.
