Jules-René HERVÉ (1887-1981)

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Jule-René HERVÉ (1887-1981)

Oil on canvas in excellent condition signed lower right and at verso

 

Dimensions unframed: H 11 in. x W 9 in. ; H 27 cm x W 22 cm

Dimensions framed: H 16 in. x W 14 in. ; H 40cm x W 35cm

 

 

 

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Our opinion

 

We are true fans of Jules-René Hervé’s paintings. It is easy to see why he is often called “the last impressionist” – the delicate paint strokes, the use of colours and light is exquisite! This painting is a very fine example of the series dedicated by the French painter to ballet dancers of the Opera Garnier in Paris. This is a theme sought after by collectors of Jules-René Hervé around the globe and this painting is one of the nicest compositions we came across in this format.

 

About the Artist

 

Jules-René Hervé was born in 1887 in Langres in the east of France. He studied art very early on and when asked, he mentioned that as far as he could remember, he always wanted to become an artist with sufficient skill to be able to express the beauty of the world through colour.

 

Jules-René was trained at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Arts Decoratifs of Paris, and studied with Fernand Cormon (1845-1924) and Jules Adler (1865-1952). As early as 1910, his work was shown in Parisian Salons where his paintings were described as “jewels” of French scenery. He became an art professor and taught painting between 1911 and 1943 to several generations of young artists.

 

Jules-René Hervé is known for his paintings of family life depicting with emotion childhood at home and outside. He interprets these scenes with sensitivity, putting all his heart into his work. Jules-René was also an extraordinary painter of Paris. From kids playing at the Jardin du Luxembourg, Parisians along the river Seine wandering between the book sellers, or ballerinas dancing at Opera Garnier, Jules-René painted the “City of light” in an impressionistic style with incredible strokes of light and colour. Paris as seen by Hervé is a city of poetry.

 

Not only is Jules-René Hervé a painter of great talent, he represents the purest tradition of French art in continuity with the works of the great impressionists of the past. He was awarded multiple honours during his lifetime, including a golden medal at the Universal Exhibition of 1937. His paintings are included in numerous museum collections in France such as the Museums of Arts in Paris, Langres, Dijon, Saint Etienne, Annecy but also abroad in Casablanca, Morocco, the Dahesh Museum in New York, and the Chicago Art Institute.