'View of Avignon' by Yves Brayer (circa 1960s)

'View of Avignon', original artist's proof signed lithograph (circa 1960s), by Yves Brayer (1907 - 1990). A distant autumnal view of the Papal Palace in the city of Avignon, the seat of Western Christianity in the 14th century, here painted in vivid watercolour and faithfully reproduced. The artist is celebrated for his depictions of life and scenery in Provence and nearby.

Some of the images on file show reflections related to photography of images covered by glass and they are not markings on the artwork itself. In very good vintage condition in original glazed frame. Original artist signature and numbered: EA14/25. This is an Artist's Proof, or in French, Epreuve d'Artist (abbreviated EA). For information, because the number of EAs is smaller and because the EAs are 'closer to the artist's hand', signed EAs tend to be more valuable than the prints of a signed and numbered limited edition.

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  76 cm (29.9")

W  92 cm (36.2")

Dimensions without frame:

H  52.5 cm (20.7")

W  70 cm (27.6")