Where did Jules René Hervé made this painting?
- Family Home Fine Art
- Nov 8, 2022
- 2 min read
For me, it is always a delight when I manage to pinpoint and learn the history behind the location where a painter has planted his easel to make a painting. In this blogpost, I talk about this exact moment for this beautiful impressionist-style oil on canvass by Jules René Hervé, which we found recently for FamilyHomeFineArt.com.
Jules René Hervé (1887-1981) - The Flower Market
Paris Flower Markets
During his lifetime, Jules René Hervé painted Paris in his distinctive impressionist style, and this painting has clearly been created in one of the French capital's flower market. There are two main flower markets in Paris: the flower market from Place de La Madeleine and the flower market from Place Lepine on l’ile de la Cité. Both have inspired talented painters like the market of l'Ile de la Cité for Georges Stein (top left), or the flower market of la Madeleine for Antoine Blanchard (top right), Edouard Cortes (bottom left) and Eugène Galien-Laloue (bottom right).
What about for the painting of Jules René Hervé?
In the painting from Jules René Hervé, the distinct shape of the Paris Townhall in the background leaves us with no doubt that he painted it at the historic flower market of l’Ile de la Cité.
We can actually exactly pinpoint where the painting was made and the direction Jules René Hervé was looking at!
The Flower Market of Place Lepine - An oasis in the middle of Paris
The flower market of Place Lepine is located at the heart of l’Ile de la Cité close to the majestic cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris. It was created in 1808 after a decree from the Emperor Napoleon 1st. In 1860, the market activities have been extended to the sale of birds. It was initially an open market but in 1873 charming metallic pavilions have been built for the florist as part of the Paris’ Haussmannian architectural revolution.
Queen Elizabeth II is said to have particularly liked her visit of the market during a trip to France in 1948. So in 2014, during a visit from the Queen as part of the 70th birthday of the D-Day landing of Normandy, the flower market was officially renamed "Flower Market Queen Elizabeth II" in her presence.
Next time you have the chance to travel to Paris, before heading to the Notre Dame Cathedral, take some time to wander through the Flower Market at l’Ile de la Cité; and whilst seating on a bench looking at the Hotel de Ville across the Seine, have a thought for Jules René Hervé and try to see and feel Paris through his impressionist eyes…
For more information about Jules René Hervé and details about this painting, please follow the link
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