Joseph Hurard (1887-1956) Landscape Of The Alpilles

Broad strokes of brushes and knives which generate a creamy material, striking and intense color contrasts, peasant women in the wild and bare nature of the Alpilles, a landscape straight out of a novel by Jean Giono for this work by the painter from the School of Avignon and member of the Group of 13, Joseph Hurard. The work is made in oil on cardboard, it is in its good original condition, a light cleaning by a professional can be considered, which would accentuate the light and reveal the colors more, it is offered in a elegant channel frame that measures 54.5 cm by 87.5 cm and 41 cm by 73 cm for the cardboard alone. The period frame from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century can be restored (because of some slight tears on the gilding) or changed for a more modern American box type frame which would allow hanging in a modern interior.

Born in Avignon in 1887, he first worked in a drugstore. Selling canvases and colors to Avignon artists, he meets them on Sundays to paint with them. His talent noted, he was part of the “Group of Thirteen” created in 1912 by Clément Brun, of whom he was the youngest. He became friends with Joseph Meissonnier and participated with the group in a first exhibition on December 21, 1912 which was a great success, followed by a second exhibition on December 18, 1913, which was also the last of the Group. In this crucible, he meets elders already touched by fame like Lina Bill or Auguste Chabaud. Among the most gifted designers of his generation, painting with disconcerting ease, he quickly stood out. Unfortunately Hurard did not go to study at the Beaux-Arts which we may regret because he would probably have been one of the greatest painters of his time. He died in Martigues in 1956. Exhibition at the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, Paris Exhibition at the Salon des Indépendants, Paris Retrospective in Martigues in 1956 Works in Public Collections Calvet Museum in Avignon Ziem Museum in Martigues Regards de Provence Foundation in Marseille