Gouache By Léon Haffner: French Frigate And Training Cruiser Jeanne d'Arc, 20th Century

A gouache signed by Léon Haffner* depicting a starboard view of a French frigate under way: More specifically, it is the famous training cruiser Jeanne-d’Arc*, recognizable by its silhouette and superstructure, in a natural wood frame dating from the 20th century.

This gouache is in good condition, as is its frame. It is signed on the reverse and bears the dedication “To Mr. Jacques Grasset—Souvenir.” It is mounted behind glass.

* This is the training cruiser Jeanne d’Arc (1931–1964), a brief history of which follows: As a training cruiser for officer cadets, it undertook eight cruises before the outbreak of World War II. Decommissioned in Martinique after the armistice, she waited until June 1943 to join the F.N.F.L. She participated in operations in Corsica and Italy, then in the Provence landings. Starting in 1946, she resumed her training cruises as a training ship for 19 campaigns until 1964, when she was decommissioned.

Note: slight stains and some wear from age; see photos.

painter and cartoonist, who exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Français. He was also a painter and illustrator of seascapes; the Musée de la Marine in Paris holds many of his works (excerpt from Bénézit).

Highly rated artist on Artprice

• Frame: 53 cm x 32.4 cmDrawing: 46 cm x 24.5 cm
• All photos are available at:
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