Algeria, Orientalist Fauvist Oil Painting, Pupil Of Othon Freize, 1940s, By André Boureau

Algerian Mid century oil on board landscape by Franco Algerian artist André Boureau a pupil of Othon Freize. The painting is signed bottom right and is presented in a custom patinated wood frame.

This vibrant painting captures an ethereal landscape imbued with dynamic movement and vibrant colour. The canvas is alive with sweeping strokes of blues, greens, and yellows, creating a rhythmic interplay that guides the viewer's eye across the composition. Nestled within this abstracted scenery are subtle hints of domed structures and lush vegetation, evoking a serene, dreamlike village. The artist skilfully blends bold, textured brushstrokes, providing depth and a sense of spontaneity. Each hue transitions seamlessly to the next, enabling the colours to dance harmoniously and evoke emotions of tranquillity and wonder. The rendering of light and shadow is masterfully executed, enhancing the atmospheric quality. This piece stands out for its ability to convey both simplicity and complexity, offering an immersive visual experience that invites contemplation and interpretation.

André Boureau (December 13, 1917 – March 30, 1999) was a French painter, sculptor and poet.

His style, crossed by different artistic currents, oscillated between academicism, Fauvism, Impressionism and abstract art — not to mention sacred art — for a return, at the end of his life, to a "new realism".

In 1936, at the age of eighteen, he entered the Beaux-Arts in Algiers where he became friends with the painter Pierre Raffi. Pierre Raffi introduced him to his friend, Albert Camus, with whom André did theatre.

In 1937, he was awarded the honorary prize of the École des Beaux-Arts in Algiers. He was commissioned to represent his school at the International Exhibition in Paris. He discovered France, Guernica at the Spanish pavilion and Van Gogh at the Louvre.

In 1938, he won the competition for the Algerian Government Scholarship and spent two years of study in Paris. From 1938 to 1942, he divided his life between Algeria and France. He took part in the exhibition of Orientalist Painters (Bougie, la porte Fouka 1942). Back in Algiers, he won the BEVIA prize and the prize of the city of Algiers (of which the museum owns one of his paintings).

He returned to Paris in the same year 1938, where he was a student of Fernand Sabatté at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts. He also studied at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs.

He frequented the Atelier de Gif-sur-Yvette and the Chevreuse valley where he painted long series of impressionist landscapes. Barges on the quays, 1944, Banlieue sous l'occupation, 1944). It was at this time that he met Marcelle Germain (1915 – 1989), who was 22 years old and also studying at the Beaux-Arts.

In 1939, he returned to Bougie for an exhibition of paintings. It was the beginning of the Second World War, he went back and forth between Algeria and France, where he was mobilized.

In 1940, he was demobilized and remained in Paris where he discovered Fauvism and in particular Othon Friesz.

From 1940 to 1947, Boureau was a pupil of Othon Friesz (1879-1949) and had many private exhibitions. He participated in the exhibition sponsored by Othon Friesz at the Chabanon gallery.

He received numerous awards including the Castelucho-Diana Prize and the City of Versailles Prize.

He entered the Chardin Gallery, and was regularly invited to the Salon des Tuileries. Every year, he participates in the Salon d'Automne. He also exhibited, alone or in groups, in the galleries Viscinsi, Chabanon, Vandamne, etc.

He exhibited gouaches at the Saint-Placide gallery in Paris where he was selected for the Critics' Prize. It was at this time that he joined the Drouant-David gallery in Paris as a sculptor.

In 1948, he exhibited in Algeria and Morocco.

While passing through Bougie, he met the painter, Gabriel Salord-Gendre, who became one of his friends. Boureau offered him a painting.

In 1959, Boureau founded an international group of painters-sculptors "Les Crabistes" which met every summer in Doëlan. Among them were the Parisian expressionist painter, Henri Ren (born in 1930), the Dutchman, Henk Van Den Idsert (1913–2001), Max Bueno de Mesquita. The Spaniard Fernando Mayoral joined the group, on an ad hoc basis, a few years later.

In 1974, his works changed to a return to "a New Realism".

Exhibition at the Maison de la culture d'Écouen.

1978, Exhibition of monotypes.

In 1984, he exhibited at the ISIS Gallery in Céret.

1985, new exhibition at the Chapelle St Roch, in Céret.

In 1986, he was selected for the International Drawing Competition in Barcelona (Juan Miro Foundation).

In 1990, he exhibited at the Espace Croix Bragnon in Toulouse.

Then, at the Salon des Réalités Nouvelles in Paris, as well as in Montpellier at the Galerie La Cimaise.

1991, Retrospective (painting) at the Stedelijik Museum in Shiedam (Rotterdam).

1992, Major exhibition at the Carla de Lorenzi Foundation in Céret. The catalogue of works is prefaced by Jack Lang and signed by Miette of the Maeght Foundation.

Condition report:

Good