Henri Hecht Maïk "the Warrior" 1965 - Primitive Art

The works of the painter Henri Hecht Maïk are enchanting exotic visions, seeming to spring from the world of childhood, with animals and nature whose drawing that seem destined for them. But despite its fantasy and imagery, this painter's art is clearly aimed at adults.
For this painting with a warrior spirit, Maïk worked at the same time on the material and the chromatism. The yellow color of the lion blending into the decor, a sort of crushed plaster wall, while at the center of the composition stands the painted warrior, made up and dressed in bright colors.
This work exudes a force in its writing and although modern, the work generates an emotion close to that felt in front of a cave painting.

Henri Hecht Maïk was born in Paris on March 27, 1922.
In 1940 he joined the French Navy and served as a nurse.
He was imprisoned in the naval hospital of Brest.
After the liberation, he returned to Paris and worked as an actor in theater and cinema.

He began painting in 1956.
He defined himself as a primitive painter.
The year 1960 marked a turning point in his career with his first solo exhibition in Paris.
In 1964, Wally Findlay recognized his talent and organized an exhibition in the United States in Palm Beach, Florida.
This was the first of a series of successful exhibitions presented at the Wally Findlay galleries in New York, Chicago, Palm Beach, Beverly Hills, and Paris.
The Musée d'Art Moderne in Paris presented Henri Maik's works in 1966, 1967, and 1968.
The Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris also presented his paintings in 1966 and 1967.

His paintings are preserved in various museums:
The National Museum of Budapest.
The Center for Contemporary and Experimental Art in Rhovot (Israel).
Museum of Naïve Art of Île-de-France in Vicq.
Museum of Colmar

Maïk designed woven tapestries in collaboration with Aubusson, created a collection of limited-edition fine jewelry, and is the author-illustrator of several children's books.

He died in 1993 in Paris.

Oil on a wooden panel in perfect condition, signed and dated "MAÏK 65" lower right.
Size : 10,6 x 18,5 Inches without frame and 17,3 x 25?2 Inches with its wooden frame and black fabric.