'Le Gardian' by Jacqueline Padovani (circa 1950s-60s)

'Le Gardian', oil on canvas, by Jacqueline Padovani (circa 1950s-60s). Although this young hatted man looks as though he’s just swaggered out of the wild west with his wide-brimmed hat, we cannot call him a cowboy. That's an American term. This handsome young man is a 'Gardian'. More Gaulois Guy than Marlboro Man, the gardians are a distinctly French breed of stockmen from the Camargue 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 charming and is a historical record of a French character from the mid-20th Century. In fair condition commensurate with age and medium. There are four minute holes in the extreme corners ostensibly once used to hang the canvas. They do not impact the overall impression nor the integrity of the work. The painting has been newly framed with a French style linen slip and received a professional surface cleaning with preservation. Please view the many accompanying photos carefully to fully appreciate the work's wonderful style. Upon request a short video clip may be provided. This gallery is unsure of the artist's connection with the Camargue. It is signed 'J. Padovani' in the lower left hand corner.

About the Artist: Jacqueline PADOVANI (1929-2008). Regrettably there is very little information about the artist other than she is considered a part of the School of Paris movement. The School of Paris was not a single art movement or institution, but refers to the importance of Paris as a centre of Western art in the early decades of the 20th century. Paris drew artists from all over the world and became a centre for artistic activity. School of Paris was used to describe this loose community, particularly of non-French artists, centred in the cafes, salons and shared workspaces and galleries of Montparnasse. 

Dimensions with Frame:

H 58 cm / 22.8"

W 50 cm / 19.7"

Dimensions without Frame:

H 44.5 / 17.5"

W 37 cm / 14.6"