Joseph Hurard (1887-1956) Shepherd And His Flock In The Valley Of Baux De Provence

Provence around Les Baux represented by the Avignon artist Joseph Hurard.
It is a large oil on canvas mounted on panel which represents a shepherd and his flock in a bucolic and serene atmosphere.
The work is signed lower right and measures 55 cm by 85.5 cm, it is unframed.

Born in Avignon in 1887, he first worked in a drugstore. Selling canvases and colors to Avignon artists, he finds them on Sundays to paint with them. His talent noticed, he is part of the “Group of Thirteen” created in 1912 by Clément Brun of which he is the youngest. He befriended 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 Group's last.

In this crucible, he frequents elders already touched by fame such as Lina Bill or Auguste Chabaud. Among the most talented designers of his generation, painting with disconcerting ease, he quickly stood out. Unfortunately Hurard will not go to study at the Beaux-Arts which we can 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

Museums

Ziem Museum in Martigues
Regards de Provence Foundation in Marseille