From the Press Release:
…The exhibition includes works by the artist that were painted between 1977 and 2008, and that were brought to Israel for this special event.
Henri Bruel is one of France’s most prolific Naïve artists and his diverse body of work offers a visionary cross-section of everyday life in France. His scenes of the city and countryside, and his depiction of interesting people and endearing animals, provide a colorful insight into the regal lives and legends that encapsulate the essence of France.
Although Bruel was born in Algeria in 1930, and spent much of his youth in Morocco, his work concentrates upon the European “theatre”. A certain softness permeates his scenes, which reflect an idealized recollection of life’s simple pleasures. In his depictions people and animals are quite animated, and yet, paradoxically, their movement is barely discernible. Instead, he captures – in freeze-frames wonderment – an imaginary halt to life’s rhythmic moments. Intertwining bold and subdued colors and an overly joyful sense of celebration, his reflections are marked by an atmosphere of harmony and tranquility. Thus, it is no surprise that nature always plays an important role in his works: trees, plants, grass and flowers are to be found everywhere, whether prominently placed or in the background. In the same vein, Bruel’s scenes are almost always framed by captivating skies, gentle grasslands, and the primal richness of the earth.
Henri Bruel’s masterly works provide us with a “visionary memory” of the ambiance and fragrance of France. By wedding nature with humanity in an enchanting and soothing balance, Bruel and his pleasing narratives – whether of familiar scenes or far-away lands – embrace our souls with their simplistic charm and delicate brush.
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