Port d' Audierne Oil Painting by Claude Venard

This framed oil on canvas by Claude Venard (1913-1999) is entitled Port d' Audierne and dates from 1946. Frame measures 38.5" by 28" by 3" (97.8 by 71.1 by 7.6 cm) and the stretcher measures 32" by 21.25" (81.3 by 53.975 cm). Depicted in this dockside scene are four ghostly male fishermen beside a tall commercial sail boat. There is noticeable craquelure primarily in the upper half of the painting which has been addressed with a relining which appears to be at least ten or twenty years old. The canvas is a bit dirty and would benefit from a professional cleaning. Stretcher has two identifying labels from The Adama Gallery of 24 Davies Street, Berkeley Square in London. Each identifies the title, artist and year painted. This work is interesting because it was painted in the year following the end of WWII in which Venard served. It was in the years immediately after the war that Venard began to experiment with differing and new styles, including Cubism, the style he eventually embraced which characterizes his works from the 1950s and thereafter. This item resides with our client in Westchester County NY and may be seen by appointment. Provenance provided upon request. Thanks for visiting. Please let us know if you have any questions or comments. A review of auction lots in the Artnet database revealed five works by Venard which depict the Port d' Audierne, the quant coastal town in Brittany. Our work appears to pre-date all of these works, but is most similar in style, color and subject to a work sold by Claude Boisgirard on 10/25/90 in lot 95. This work measured 19.7 by 25.6 inches and sold for 53,000 francs or the equivalent of $10,497. Additional images gladly forwarded upon request. This item resides in our client's gallery in Westchester County NY, and may be seen in person by appointment.