'Promenade of Horses at Auteuil Horse Track Paris' by Yves Brayer (circa 1960s)

'Promenade of Horses at Auteuil Horse Track, Paris', watercolour on art paper, by Yves Brayer (circa 1960s). This historic horse track in the Bois de Boulogne was frequented by Ernest Hemingway. Having opened in 1873, Auteuil Racecourse is situated on the edge of Paris's Bois de Boulogne on a 33-hectare site. It is the centre of steeplechase racing in France. In this depiction, the artist captures a wonderful moment whereby the horse's coverings and the autumnal landscape fill the image with warming colour. The promenade is part of horse racing tradition and is held in the parade ring where the horses are walked around in preparation of meeting their jockeys and allowing the racegoers to see them before the race. Spectators would be trying to assess the horses before placing their bets. For those who love horse racing or, for art lovers in general, this painting is for you. The artwork is in good overall condition in its original frame. It is signed by Yves Brayer in the lower right hand. On the backside, the title is written in French: "Promenade des Chevaux à Auteuil." Please enjoy the many photos accompanying the listing. Upon request a video may 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, Turkey, 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 64 cm / 25.2"

W 75.5 cm / 29.7"

Dimensions without frame:

H 40 cm / 15.7"

W 53 cm / 20.9"