Henri-Georges Bréard was an accomplished French painter of landscapes, scenes, still lifes and portraits. Hailing from Paris, he spent his entire life in the French capital, exhibiting at several of its leading venues. He was trained by Henri Royer and François Schommer at the distinguished Académie Julian where the focus was on mastering one’s drawing skills with particular reference to the old masters. As such, he became a fine draughtsman and maintained a deep respect for the luminaries of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

His early works include genre subjects, which are reminiscent of the French realist painters. In one of his most celebrated ‘The Newspaper’ from 1914, three elderly ladies sit together in a sparsely decorated interior. One holds a newspaper. The mood is sombre and reflective. The exquisite handling of these scenes earned him a place at the Paris Salon.

By 1921, he’d attracted the attention of the Galeries Georges Petit in Paris, which showcased the glitterati of Parisian artistry. In a review in the New York Herald, his watercolours were compared to those of Henri-Joseph Harpignies (1819-1916). “...his craft is wise, very wise, the drawing is sure and precise, and with these two elements he obtains effects which are not at all grandiose, but which can please.”

Later on, his known works are predominantly introspective and often feature his atelier - walls adorned with various drawings. He seemed to be intrigued by the very process of creating and selling art, as numerous scenes include patrons pondering over a selection of works on paper. During this later period, he also produced several self-portraits.

Bréard’s legacy is one of precision, respect and quiet dedication. Towards the end of his career, he bequeathed an interesting collection of historic wooden statuettes to the Louvre Museum. He’s represented at the National Gallery of Canada.

Exhibited

Salon d'Hiver in Paris, Galeries Georges Petit in Paris, Société des Artistes Français.

Public Collections

National Gallery of Canada.

Timeline

1873

Born in Paris, France.

Trained at the Académie Julian under Henri Royer and François Schommer. The influence of Royer is particularly evident in his early work.

1911

Debuted at the Paris Salon (Salon des Artistes Français).
Lived on the Boulevard de Clichy, Paris.

1920

Lived on the Boulevard de Clichy, Paris.

1921

Mentioned in the New York Herald, Paris.

“Mr Henri Bréard, who exhibits in the small room on the ground floor of the Galeries Georges Petit, is a skilled watercolourist who is linked to the classic conception of watercolour, which Harpignies has pushed to perfection. Let us not ask Mr. Bréard for the ardour which characterises a watercolour by La Touche or Besnard; his craft is wise, very wise, the drawing is sure and precise, and with these two elements he obtains effects which are not at all grandiose, but which can please. His views of the bridges of Paris, his landscapes of Ile-de-France, his views of Provins or Montigny, and finally his flowers will certainly achieve a certain success with those who not without reason admire Harpignies and Zuber.”

1924

Received an Honourable Mention at the Paris Salon.

1927

Shown at the luxurious Galeries Georges Petit in Paris.

1929

Reviewed in L’Action Francaise after showing at the Paris Salon.

“Henri Bréard, a figure of character, painted with spirit and perfect knowledge entitled ‘the Print Lover’.”

1934

Received an Honourable Mention at the Paris Salon.

1937

Lived on the Boulevard de Clichy, Paris.

1942

Bequeathed an interesting collection of wooden statuettes to the Louvre Museum.

1947

Lived on the Boulevard de Clichy, Paris.

Mentioned in the Bulletin des musées de France.

“Recent acquisitions from the Department of Sculptures of the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Modern Times.

The first is a Christ lying dead, in boxwood, executed in Germany in the first half of the 16th century. It has taken on a beautiful warm brown patina and is a good example of these small boxwood sculptures which were so popular on the other side of the Rhine. It was given to us on December 11, 1945, by Mr. Henri Bréard, an artist who likes to surround himself with works from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and who was kind enough to reserve in his collections several sculptures which will one day enrich our Department.”

1950

Died in Paris, France.