Lunch and learning with Gaston Longchamp
Baron Pesci contacted me after reading my column about Gaston Longchamp, an accomplished artist from Paris who lived in seclusion in Upper Bucks for more than 40 years (published Feb. 22). Gaston became skilled at impressionistic art as understudy to Monet, Renoir, Picasso, Mattise, Chagall, Signac and other famed Parisian artists in the early 20th century.
Pesci, a former special education teacher in the Neshaminy School District and resident of Langhorne, formed an enduring friendship with the artist.
“My father and I hunted on Gaston’s property for pheasants and deer during the late 1960s to the late 1970s. We had many lunches with him at his farm house in Kintnersville that included tours of the house with lengthy explanations of the art works. My dad was a World War II sailor who was on the USS Nevada battleship. Gaston enjoyed many conversations with my dad about the invasions, battles and travels he had over his four y
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I enjoy outings in Tyler State Park with my daughter and grandchildren as often as possible. We splash around in Neshaminy Creek, go canoeing and hike the park’s network of trails that cover 25 miles and pass through Bucks County’s longest covered bridge built in 1873.
Ellen and Ed Short, like us, also like exploring the 1,711 acres of streams, woodlands and historic sites within the park. Their home borders the preserve. As Ellen put it, “Our kids grew up thinking the park was their backyard.”
Recently she reached out to me about a discovery she and Ed made back in the woods. “What do you know about this cabin overlooking Neshaminy Creek in the park?” she asked, attaching a couple of snapshots. “I also would be interested to hear more about the background of what was located on the Tyler family estate.”
I dream of having a friend like artist Gaston Longchamp.
To have received one of his illustrative letters like those preserved at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington would have been a treasure.
Gaston learned his craft in Paris at the foot of Georges Seurat, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Signac, Claude Monet, Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall, Raoll Duffy, Pablo Picasso and many others.
It was stunning to me to learn recently the expressionist painter called Kintnersville in Upper Bucks his home for more than 40 years. All the while, he produced prolific works of art that remained concealed.
You could make a good case he should be ranked among Bucks’ great artists. Why he isn’t is a mystery to me.