INSPIRED MINER

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 February 1927, Page 12

INSPIRED MINER

OBEYED “ORDER” TO PAINT.

With a painting called “The Spirit of the Pyramids,” a miner of the colliery district of Barbure, near Bethune, Pas-de-Calais, has proved himself an impressionist of remarkable power. The world of art knew nothing of Auguste Lesage until this picture of his was shown at the autumn exhibition here. He had worked in the mines since he was a boy, and had had no lessons in painting. “The Spirit of the Pyramid” is a curious, composition, but its beautiful vivid colouring is striking. Asked how he took a fancy to painting, the miner, who is a religious mystic as well as an artist, said: “I never touched a brush until I was 35. Fifteen years ago, I fell asleep and dreamed I was a painter. “I heard a strange and mysterious voice, which ordered me to start oilpainting. For several days in succession I heard the same voice giving the same order. I obeyed it. I went to Bethune and bought colours, canvas and brushes. The composition of my first painting was entirely due to mystic inspiration, as were the 30 canvas es I have done since. I have received visits from many great artists, who found that the colouring of my pictures was wonderful.” This miner artist has arranged a studio in the dining-room of his modest cottage, and he -works there in his spare time.