Jean Hourrégue (1919–1983) Fishing Village In The Arcachon Basin. Landes Gueit, Béarn.

A beautiful, large watercolor by Jean Hourrègue depicting a fishing village in the Arcachon Basin. It is signed in the lower right corner and inscribed on the reverse: "fishing village in the Arcachon Basin... L'Herbe..." The watercolor itself measures 50 x 65 cm (19.7 x 25.6 in), and 62 x 78 cm (24.4 x 30.7 in) including the frame. It comes in a contemporary frame and is in excellent condition. The work is guaranteed to be authentic. This is a striking, large-scale watercolor by Jean Hourrègue, capturing a scene of daily life in an Arcachon Basin fishing village, complete with *pinasses* (traditional local boats), characteristic houses, and more. His technique is flawless—he was, in fact, a highly accomplished watercolorist. Jean Hourrègue (1919–1983) was born in Pontacq, in the Béarn region. The son of a typographer, he studied first at the School of Arts in Tarbes, then at the School of Fine Arts in Bordeaux. After a stint as a drawing teacher in Saintes, he became an indefatigable traveler from 1960 onward, spending time in various locations across France, Italy, Spain, the Maghreb, and eventually Japan. As an observer of his era, he produced some of his finest watercolors between the 1960s and the 1980s. What a character! Those who knew him from back in the day remember him in Pontacq—his home base—and later, each year, at the casino in Cauterets, where he would hold exhibitions—a spot highly popular with spa-goers and tourists alike. His camper van and caravan could often be seen in the parking lot overlooking the casino; life was difficult for artists in those days, and hotels were frequently beyond their means. Beneath his gruff exterior lay a jovial, affable man—proud of his work and perhaps a touch boastful—who was always happy to share his watercolor techniques with passersby; his skill was of a caliber rarely seen elsewhere, and one that was occasionally imitated. He was a frequent presence in Saint-Savin—one of his favorite haunts—which he painted from every conceivable angle over the years. As he was penniless, or nearly so, he would dine at the Auberge du Viscos (long before it gained its current renown), paying for his meals by gifting his paintings—a practice he followed wherever he traveled. Indeed, there is much to be said about Jean Hourrègue, a man who made his living entirely from his art. He died in a car accident at the age of 64 and is buried in the cemetery at Pontacq.