Early works

Although André Hambourg (1909-1999) is best known for his paintings of Normandy beaches, in which he used Eugène Boudin's famous framing - two-thirds sky and one-third beach - his œhis early work remains less well known.

At just 17, André Hambourg entered the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, visiting museums to copy the great masters. Two years later, he held his first exhibition at the Galerie du Taureau, where he presented views of Parisian streets. Tight framing, dense composition and a dark color palette are the characteristics developed by the young artist.

From 1931 onwards, he settled in the Montparnasse district, where his acquaintances and artistic emulation opened the doors to the Salon des Tuileries. The figure began to appear in his œuvre. The painter produced portraits of close friends and family, as well as nudes, perfecting his mastery of volume and the living body.

In the course of œAndré Hambourg's early works also reveal the artistic Paris of the interwar period, during which the famous École de Paris, rooted in Montparnasse, flourished.

Curator: Juliette Gerfault, in charge of collections at the Musée des Franciscaines