Joseph Hurard (1887-1956) The Shepherd And His Flock In The Alpilles

A subtle use of material, poetry, a harmony of colors and the sweetness of bucolic life of the early 20th century for this oil on cardboard by the Avignon painter Joseph Hurard.
The work in excellent condition is offered in a simple natural wood frame that measures 60 cm by 89 cm and 47 cm by 76 cm for the painting alone.
It represents a shepherd sitting next to his flock in the middle of nature, certainly in the Luberon that the artist particularly loved.
The work is signed lower right.

Born in Avignon in 1887, he first worked in a drugstore.
Selling canvases and colors to Avignon artists, he met 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 melting pot, he frequented elders already touched by fame like Lina Bill or Auguste Chabaud.
Among the most gifted draftsmen of his generation, painting with disconcerting ease, he quickly made a name for himself. Unfortunately, Hurard did not go to study at the Beaux-Arts, which we can regret because he would likely 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 the Public Collections
Calvet Museum in Avignon
Ziem Museum in Martigues
Regards de Provence Foundation in Marseille