Claude Venard - A Modern Master

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LE B TA N EE TIO FF I O ED C

CLAUDE VENARD (1913-1999)

A Modern Master

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E&OE

22 & 23 St Marys Street Shrewsbury Shropshire SY1 1ED UK Tel:

+44 1743 343452 UK Mobile: +44 (0) 7810 714545 USA Cell: +1 615 870 7639 art@callaghan-finepaintings.com www.callaghan-finepaintings.com Follow us @callaghansart

CLAUDE VENARD (1913-1999)

Welcome to this exciting, extensive collection of works by Claude Venard, depicting a variety of subjects and techniques across his lifetime as a painter.

Callaghans of Shrewsbury has over the past three decades, and continues to do so, carry the largest collection of paintings by Claude Venard in the UK. We have, with great pride, had the pleasure of representing Claude Venard as one of our main areas of speciality in our extensive inventory of 20th Century fine artists.

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Claude Venard’s distinct and alluring compositions developed through a postcubist system that oscillates between abstraction and naturalism. He opens perspectives projecting spatial vistas into every part of the canvas, in accordance with an emotional rather than a physical order. Coupled with his use of vibrant and strong colour, often applied with a palette knife to achieve a rich impasto, his optimistic attitude and obvious enjoyment of life imbues everyday objects, and his views of Paris, with an undeniably French ‘joie de vivre’, which continues to resonate with new audiences the world over.

Venard received critical acclaim and was personally championed by art critic Andre Salmon (1881-1969) and art historian Waldemar George (1893-1970), who described his painting as “Apocalyptic art! Beings and everyday things suddenly regain their meaning. Emotional values are once more felt”.

Wildly exhibited across the globe, works by Claude Venard are held at: • Tate, London • Musée d’Art Moderne, Paris • Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York • Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Canada • Musée des Beaux Arts, Rouen • Neue Pinakothek, Munich • Sao Paulo Museum of Art, Brazil • Dallas Museum of Art, USA Prices in this collection range from £7,000 to £80,000.

Insured worldwide shipping can be arranged.

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CLAUDE VENARD (1913-1999)

An amazing collection from this important mid twentieth century post cubist artist.

Venard was born in France 1913, he dedicated himself fully to painting at the age of seventeen he studied at the École des Arts Appliques for six years, having fled the Académie des Beaux-Arts after just 48 hours. In 1938 he signed the Rupture manifesto and participated in the first exhibition of the influential group Forces Nouvelles, alongside Gruber and Tal-Coat at the Galerie Billiet-Vorms. A close affinity subsequently developed among these painters and together they were instrumental in forging the aesthetic of the immediate post-war period of the Ecole de Paris. Venard quickly became known for his rich impasto and varying texture.

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Influenced by the Cubist and Abstract movements, Venard’s work captured the essence of Parisian life during the 1950s. His bold use of color, geometric shapes, and expressive brushwork set him apart as a significant figure in the art world.

During the 1950s, Paris experienced a cultural renaissance, attracting artists from around the world. Venard was at the forefront of this movement, exploring new artistic techniques and pushing the boundaries of traditional art. Inspired by the works of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, Venardembraced Cubism, a movement that shattered traditional notions of perspective and representation.

In Venard’s post-Cubist works, he incorporated elements of abstraction, creating a unique visual language that blended both styles. His paintings were characterized by bold, vibrant colours, thick brushstrokes, and fragmented geometric forms.

Venard’s use of flat planes and sharp angles created a sense of dynamism and energy in his compositions.

One of Venard’s notable series from this period is his still-life paintings. He transformed ordinary objects such as fruits, flowers, and bottles into dynamic compositions, bursting with color and movement. His mastery of colour allowed him to create a sense of depth and three-dimensionality on the canvas, despite the fragmented forms.

His often depicted scenes of everyday life in Paris, capturing the bustling streets, cafes, and markets. His works exuded a sense of joie de vivre, celebrating the vibrancy and spirit of the city. Through his use of bold colours and expressive brushwork, Venard conveyed the energy and atmosphere of Parisian life during the post-war period.

Before his death during the final hours of the twentieth century, Claude Venard had become a highly celebrated artist having featured in contemporary art exhibitions around the world since 1935. He held numerous successful one man shows in practically all the capitals of Europe, and established an international reputation by showing all over the world.

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‘Nature Morte avec Poisson’ Oil on Canvas 11” x 8” (27.9cm x 20.3cm) Framed size: 16¾” x 13½” (45.5cm x 34.2cm) Signed Circa 1946 Provenance: With Arthur Tooth & Sons, London circa 1950 Private Collection, Philadelphia

Daniel says....

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‘The famous Venard studio window – overlooking the rooftops of Paris you can imagine Venard busy at his easel with paintbrush in hand, overlooking the busy streets below.’

A similar view Venard would have enjoyed from his Parisian studio.

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Oil on Canvas 17” x 46” (43.2cm x 117cm) Framed size: 25½” x 54½” (64.8cm x 138.4cm) Signed & Dated 1958 Provenance: Purchased from the artist 1958 Private Collection, Paris

Daniel says....

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‘le Dorade’

‘An earthy colour palette with rich, deep, thick impasto creates a composition that is powerful and demanding.’

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‘The Music Room’

‘Claude Venard! First and foremost the work. It is a colossal achievement.

Claude Venard, is a great man, a very great one.’

Henri Viard

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Oil on Canvas 13½” x 9½” (34.3cm x 24.2cm) Framed size: 19½” x 15½” (49.5cm x 39.3cm) Signed Circa 1946 Provenance: Private Collection, Philadelphia

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Oil on Canvas 8” x 10” (20.3cm x 25.4cm) Framed size: 13” x 15” (33cm x 38.1cm) Signed Circa 1945 Provenance: With Arthur Tooth & Sons, London circa 1950 Private Collection, UK

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‘Lemons & Grapes’

Clemmie says....

‘I love the details in Venards early works – this one is a true gem, pops of yellow, purple and greens to highlight added details in the interior setting.’

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CA of LL Sh A re GH w A sb NS ur y ‘le Aeroship’

Oil on Canvas 45” x 58” (114.3cm x 147.3cm) Framed size: 52” x 65” (132cm x 165.1cm) Signed Circa 1960 Provenance: Private Collection, Paris

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‘Sacre Coeur, Sunset’

‘Venard doesn’t dwell on his past, he is in it and outside it at the same time. Today, as yesterday, he paints the Paris of before and the Paris of now.’

Jacques Prevert (1900-1977) French Poet & Screenwriter

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Oil on Canvas 26” x 32” (66cm x 81.3cm) Framed size: 34” x 40” (86.3cm x 101.6cm) Signed Circa 1962 Provenance: Galerie Romanet, Paris circa 1964 Private Collection, UK

Rob says....

‘Nestled high on a rooftop in Paris, easel and paint brush in hand, Venard has captured the French capital skyline, featuring the Sacre Coeur in the distance.

Incredible thick impasto which adds depth and texture to the work, Venard has scraped the paint back to reveal the golden yellow.’

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‘The Phonograph’

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Oil on Canvas 13” x 9” (33cm x 22.8cm) Framed size: 19½” x 15½” (49.5cm x 39.3cm) Signed Dated 1951 Provenance: Private Collection, Wisconsin Mr George Bortin circa 1964 Sotheby’s, New York circa 1985 Private Collection, UK

‘Works which are at first overly seductive should not be trusted. I do not mean by that ugliness is the greatest of virtues but that a work should impose by its power, without the aid of pleasing artifices’ Claude Venard

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CA of LL Sh A re GH w A sb NS ur y ‘Two Fish’

Oil on Canvas 15” x 24” (38.1cm x 60.9cm) Framed size: 21” x 29” (53.3cm x 73.6cm) Signed Circa 1947 Provenance: Gallery Romanet, Paris circa 1948 Sotheby’s New York circa 1985 Private Collection, UK

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Oil on Canvas 29½” x 29½” (75cm x 75cm) Framed size: 37½” x 37½” (95.2cm x 95.2cm) Signed Circa 1975 Provenance: Private Collection, London 18

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‘The Green Chair, Montmarte Studio’

CA of LL Sh A re GH w A sb NS ur y ‘Tour Eiffel, Sacre Coeur’

The Moulin de la Galette - during the 1950s/60s the two windmills became an iconic symbol of Montmartre’s bohemian culture, painted not only by Renoir but also by Picasso. Featured here in the background of ‘Tour Eiffel, Sacre Coeur’.

Oil on Canvas 29½” x 29½” (75cm x 75cm) Framed size: 36” x 36” (91.4cm x 91.4cm) Signed Circa 1968 Provenance: Private Collection, Miami Private Collection, Switzerland

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‘Geometrie’

Venards countryside studio in Sanary sur mer served as a backdrop to many of his paintings. The light filled room provided the perfect oasis for the artist.

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Oil on Canvas 16” x 13” (40.6cm x 33cm) Framed size: 22” x 19” (55.8cm x 48.2cm) Signed Circa 1946 Provenance: With Arthur Tooth & Sons, London circa 1950 Private Collection, Philadelphia

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Andre Salmon (1881-1969) Art Critic Contributed to the Editions Romanet

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‘His recent nudes, or semi nudes, prove their worth in the skilful harmony of their curves’

‘Reclining Nude’

Oil on Canvas 15” x 18” (38.1cm x 45.7cm) Framed size: 24½” x 28½” (62.2cm x 72.3cm) Signed Circa 1970 Provenance: Private Collection, USA

CA of LL Sh A re GH w A sb NS ur y ‘The Bather’

Oil on Canvas 45” x 57½” (114.3cm x 146cm) Framed size: 53” x 65” (134.6cm x 165.1cm) Signed Circa 1975 Provenance: Private Collection, Paris

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‘Sacre Coeur, Pink Skies’ Oil on Canvas 22” x 18” (54.8cm x 45.7cm) Framed size: 28” x 24” (71.1cm x 60.9cm) Signed Circa 1950 Provenance: Private Collection, Palm Beach USA

Clemmie says....

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‘I adore this piece – splashes of red, pink and purple shine through the incredible thick and textured impasto.’

This iconic view – was one of Venard’s favourite subjects.

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The whimsical biplane which was fascinating for Venard.

He had a large collection of tin plate toys which became the subject of many of his paintings.

‘Biplane with Heart’

Oil on Canvas 45” x 57½” (114.3cm x 146cm) Framed size: 53” x 65” (134.6cm x 165.1cm) Signed Circa 1955 Provenance: Private Collection, Paris

CA of LL Sh A re GH w A sb NS ur y ‘Bleu et Rouge’

Oil on Canvas 13” x 16” (33cm x 40.6cm) Framed size: 22” x 25” (55.8cm x 63.5cm) Signed Circa 1960 Provenance: Private Collection, France

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Oil on Canvas 13” x 16” (33cm x 40.6cm) Framed size: 19” x 22” (48.2cm x 55.8cm) Signed Circa 1972 Provenance: Galierie Romanet, Paris circa 1960 Private Collection, France 28

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‘les Citrons’

‘Claude Venard loved his work too much to waste precious time talking about it, explaining or analysing it’ Renata Venard

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Oil on Canvas 10¾” x 13¾” (27.3cm x 34.9cm) Framed size: 17” x 20¼” ( 43.1cm x 51.4cm) Signed Circa 1950 Provenance: Held at the Leicester Galleries, London circa 1950 Private Collection, UK 30

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‘Nature Morte au Toit’

Oil on Canvas 9½” x 19½” (24.8cm x 49.5cm) Framed size: 15½” x 25½” (39.3cm x 64.7cm) Signed Circa 1942 Provenance: Private Collection, Miami

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‘Boats in the Harbour’

‘Venard knows that every image is a work of magic, but newly arrived from the primitive cave to the light filled studio of the twentieth century’ Andre Salmon (1881-1969) Art Critic Contributed to the Editions Romanet

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‘Pot Noir’

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Oil on Canvas 16” x 13” (40.6cm x 33cm) Framed size: 22” x 19” (55.8cm x 48.2cm) Signed Circa 1959 Provenance: Frost & Reed, London Private Collection, UK

Stella says....

‘A striking, bold and vibrant work – with beautiful thick impasto! Such a simple composition and yet an intriguing and expressive technique, so unique to Venard.’

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CA of LL Sh A re GH w A sb NS ur y ‘Two Oranges’

Oil on Canvas 13” x 16” (33cm x 40.6cm) Framed size: 19” x 22” (48.2cm x 55.8cm) Signed Circa 1962 Provenance: Marble Arch Gallery, Florida Private Collection, Palm Beach

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‘Pot Noir’

Heather says....

‘A piece sure to stand out in any collection, like hens teeth to any collector as we rarely see a bouquet still life of this size and composition.’

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Oil on Canvas 16” x 13” (40.6cm x 33cm) Framed size: 22” x 19” (55.8cm x 48.2cm) Signed Circa 1954 Provenance: Private Collection, New York Private Collection, UK

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Oil on Canvas 15” x 18” (38.1cm x 45.7cm) Framed size: 21” x 24” (53.3cm x 60.9cm) Signed Circa 1972 Provenance: Felix Vercel, New York circa 1970 Private Collection, New Jersey 36

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‘Playing Cards’

‘Composition Bleu’

Oil on Canvas 10½” x 8½” (26.6cm x 21.5cm) Framed size: 16½” x 14½” (41.9cm x 36.8cm) Signed Circa 1955 Provenance: Private Collection, South of France

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‘le Damier’

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Oil on Canvas 13” x 9½” (33cm x 24.1cm) Framed size: 21” x 17½” (53.3cm x 44.4cm) Signed Circa 1950 Provenance: Private Collection, New York

‘It was the real pleasure of painting that led him to leap from one subject to another, often revisiting old themes so as to relaunch himself towards some unexpected innovation’.

Renata Venard

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A COLLECTION OF EARLY WORKS

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Stella says....

‘la Cafetiere’ Oil on Canvas 29½” x 29½” (75cm x 75cm) Framed size: 35½” x 35½” (90cm x 90cm) Signed Circa 1955 Provenance: Private Collection, UK

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‘This piece really does change the ambiance of any interior, bringing joy to one’s soul with its funky composition and striking colour.’

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Oil on Canvas 29½” x 29½” (75cm x 75cm) Framed size: 37” x 37” (94cm x 94cm) Signed Circa 1970 Provenance: Private Collection, Marseille 42

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‘le Port’

CA of LL Sh A re GH w A sb NS ur y ‘Pendule et Verre’

Oil on Canvas 25½” x 36” (64.8cm x 91.5cm) Framed size: Circa 1955 Provenance: Private Collection, France

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Oil on Canvas 39” x 39” (99cm x 99cm) Framed size: 46” x 46” (117cm x 117cm) Signed Circa 1965 Provenance: Private Collection, Florida, USA 44

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‘Abstract Nude’

‘He preferred to express himself on canvas, interpreting shapes, objects or situations seized in flight but his eye and then implanted in what he called his “visual memory” ’ Renata Venard

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‘Jester’ Oil on Canvas 29” x 24” (73.6cm x 60.9cm) Framed size: 37½” x 32½” (95.2cm x 82½cm) Signed Circa 1964 Provenance: Private Collection, Germany

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Venard was intrigued by Jesters and Entertainers and was fascinated

by Paris’s nightlife.

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Upcoming Gallery Exhibitions – A sneak preview!

Contact a member of the team to be the very first to receive details and hardcopy brochures

British & European Impressions

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An incredible collection of impressionist paintings from artists across Europe and the British Isles.

The Art of Bronze

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A collection of knockout statement sculpture for your home and outdoor space.

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The Artists Residence Take advantage of a complimentary stay whilst you visit the gallery.

Steeped in history, named Henry Tudor House after Henry Tudor (1457-1509), who later became Henry Vll stayed here on his way to the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. The Battle of Bosworth was the last battle of the War of the Roses and it established the Tudor dynasty to the English Throne.

Callaghan’s Artists Residence is located at Henry Tudor House, one of the oldest historic timbered buildings nestled in the centre of the town of Shrewsbury.

Adorned with wonderful art, paintings, sculpture and fine furniture the apartment sets the scene for a truly cultural experience.

Recently refurbished to the highest standard.

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The accommodation offers a luxurious space for clients of Callaghans of Shrewsbury to stay whilst visiting the gallery which is located just two minutes walk away.

One can people watch from the sitting room, visit an array of restaurants or stroll along the riverbank of the River Severn, enjoying the ambiance of the beautiful town of Shrewsbury and the huge variety of independent boutiques and shops that Shrewsbury has to offer.

Call or email the gallery to take advantage and book your stay at ‘The Artist Residence’ 01743 343452 or emailing art@callaghan-finepaintings.com

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AN EXCLUSIVE VIP INVITE

Henry Tudor House built circa 1380

The new Callaghan flagship exhibition space

Opening very soon

22 & 23 St Marys Street Shrewsbury Shropshire SY1 1ED UK +44 1743 343452 UK Mobile: +44 (0) 7810 714545 USA Cell: +1 615 870 7639 art@callaghan-finepaintings.com www.callaghan-finepaintings.com

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