Artist: Claude Benard (1926 – 2016) French

Title: Robole a la St. Victoire, circa 1950

Medium: Oil on Board, Hand signed lower left, Gilt frame

Size: 18” x 22” Unframed; 22” x 26” Framed

Price: $2,900

The famous view of Mont St. Victoire is the subject of this beautiful impressionist painting by Claude Benard. Reminiscent of the series of paintings of the French mountain completed by Paul Cezanne in the late 1800’s.Benard uses an array of green tones to depict the lush rural scene dominated by the iconic mountain.The sunlight casts over the landscape enriching everything it touches

Claude Benard was born in Cholet in 1926 but shortly after his family moved to Angouleme (1928), where he lived until his death in 2016.This piece was purchased from the artist’s estate.Studying at the world-renowned Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris and also in the studios of Cheyssial and Fougerat.He began exhibiting at the Salon des Artistes Francais at age 21.He travelled to extend his experience before returning home to paint professionally.He held the post of professor at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Angouleme between 1957 and 1980.

Benard exhibited in prestigious institutions in France and internationally and he was the recipient of many awards. He founded the Cercle Angoumousin des Arts and a Salon of Contemporary Art in Angouleme, in 1978 and 1979 respectively, bringing together celebrated artists in the Charente region.His style evolved from figurative to surrealist.