'Cabane de Cacharel' by Yves Brayer (circa 1950s)

'Cabane de Cacharel', gouache on paper, by Yves Brayer (circa 1950s). In the Camargue region of Southern France, there is an historic Mas (farmhouse / ranch) called Cacharel, nearby the Gitanes enclave of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Cacharel is a haven for nature lovers: a quiet, laid-back retreat located in the Camargue, one of Europe’s largest river deltas and a birdwatcher’s paradise where flamingos, egrets and other feathered waders flock in huge numbers. In this depiction by the artist, one of the cabane dwellers is calling out to his dog who is pestering the horses nearby. Although young men such as this one look as though they've just swaggered out of the wild west with wide-brimmed hats and horses, we cannot call them cowboys. That's an American term. These swarthy young men are called 'Gardians'. More Gaulois Guy than Marlboro Man, the Gardians are a distinctly French breed of stockmen from the this wetland of Provence. Despite dressing like cowboys, they drink wine, not whisky, and rather than rodeos, their sport of choice is the course camarguaise, a bullfight where competitors attempt to remove ribbons from the animal’s horns. Perched atop the white horses for which the Camargue is famous, the Gardians work tirelessly on what are some of France’s biggest livestock farms. 

This work is in good overall condition. The frame presents a characterful patina with some evident nicks, scratches and blemishes, imparting its own vintage charm. The artwork is signed by the artist in the lower left hand. Please enjoy the many images accompanying this listing. Upon request a video will be provided.

About the Artist: Yves Brayer (1907-1990) was born in Versailles, France. Determined to be an artist from an early age, he set out for Paris in 1924, initially studying at the academies in Montparnasse, and from there he attended the École des Beaux-Arts. Whilst still a student he exhibited at the Salon d’Automne and the Salon des Indépendants, and in 1927 Brayer left Paris for Spain with the aid of a state grant to enable him to study the works of the Spanish Masters in the Prado. 

On his return to Paris in 1934 he exhibited a collection of paintings inspired by his travels in Europe and Morocco to great acclaim. Having moved south to Cordes in the Tarn region of France after the War, Brayer then discovered the area which was to have the greatest artistic influence on his work: Provence. He was enchanted by the diverse and architectural forms of the Alpilles mountains, and by the vast expanse of the Camargue region with its ubiquitous white horses and black bulls. From then on he spent several months each year working in Provence. He also made several trips to Mexico, Egypt, Iran, Greece, Russia, USA and Japan where he was quick to grasp the unique rhythm and light of each country.

A large collection of Yves Brayer’s paintings are on permanent display both at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Cordes, in the Salle Yves Brayer and at the Musée Yves Brayer in Les Baux de Provence, as well as various museums in France and elsewhere. Yves Brayer died in 1990.

Dimensions with frame:

H 42 cm / 16.5"

W 50 cm / 19.7"

Dimensions without frame:

H 23 cm / 9.1"

W 31.5 cm / 12.4"