'The Basque Inn with Corn' by Henri Laulhé (circa 1960s)

'The Basque Inn with Corn', oil on canvas, by French artist, Henri Laulhé (circa 1960s). A very charming and colourful depiction of an uneventful day in the French Basque region. Two men sit outdoors - one snoozes and the other reads - while the innkeeper gazes out of the entryway. Bunched together in the front are many ears of Basque corn known as Arto Gorria which has a long and unusual history. The variety began to spread through the northern regions of the zone during the 16th century, becoming a staple in the local diet and culture of the rural Basque populations. It has disappeared and reappeared over the decades. The story goes that a farmer found the corn growing in a convent in the southern Basque Country (i.e. Spain), carried a few ears home with him in his beret and began cultivating the variety. Gradually it spread around the countryside and other Basque seeds, long preserved by elderly farmers in their small plots, began to be exchanged again. The painting is in good vintage condition and is signed by the artist in the lower right hand corner. It has been re-stretched and newly framed with a linen slip. Upon request a video of the artwork may be provided. Regrettably, there is not much information available about the artist other than he was born in 1908 and was active through the 1970s. His works appear at major European auction houses and inspire spirited bidding.

Dimensions with frame:

H 45 cm / 17.7"

W 53 cm / 20.9"

Dimensions without frame:

H 33 cm / 13.0"

W 41 cm / 16.1"