Oil On Canvas, Tree By Gustave Hervigo

Gustave Hervigo 1896-1993

French Navy painter, explorer and tireless observer of the world, he developed a deeply personal body of work, nourished by his encounters, his travels and his taste for landscapes as well as scenes of life.

Born of a craftsman's background, he grew up with his father a bourrelier and worked from an early age in this world of leather and leather goods.

Although he had no traditional academic training, he benefited from the advice of the Rambolitan painter Henri Laigneau, who encouraged him in his artistic research.

After the First World War, during which he continued his artistic activity while working in luxury leather goods, he settled in Paris.

His real recognition began in 1925, when he presented a work at the Salon des Indépendants. He then became a Sociétaire de la Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts in 1940, before joining its jury a few years later.

The year 1948 represented a decisive turning point in his career. He was awarded the Bourse de voyage de l'Afrique-Équatoriale française by the Société des Beaux-Arts d'Outre-Mer.
Between 1949 and 1981, he made no fewer than seventeen major trips around the world.

In 1862, he received the prestigious Prix Puvis-de-Chavannes from the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts.
The following year, in 1963, he was appointed Peintre Officiel de la Marine.
In 1965, he also received the Prix de Dessin d'Île-de-France.
His career was finally consecrated by his election to the Académie des Sciences d'Outre-Mer in 1976.