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Late 19th early 20th century painting
An oil on canvas measuring 61X46 cm (without the frame) representing the port of Toulon signed lower right dated 1927 by Jean Berque (1896-1954)
Jean Berque, born in Reims on January 31, 1896, died in Paris, rue de Seine, on April 27, 1954.
Painter and illustrator. Son of owner of Champagne wines, Jean Berque, student of the Nabis, Félix Valloton, Maurice Denis and Paul Sérusier, was one of the first members of the Reims Union of Decorative Arts. He realized the way of the cross of the Saint-Nicaise church of Reims. Renowned for his nudes, he exhibited at the Salon d'Automne from 1924 to 1928 and the Salon des Tuileries between 1927 and 1934. He is best known as an illustrator of books and collaborated with François-Louis Schmied, Philippe Gonin and the brothers Gonin, Lausanne. In particular, he illustrated works by André Gide, Pierre Louÿs, Colette, Montherlant, André Maurois, Paul Claudel, Anna de Noailles and Paul-Jean Toulet. He married in Paris, in 1920, Raymonde Thorel, of Épernay, then, in 1943, Germaine Kohn. Knight of the Legion of Honor in 1953, he rests at La Celle-Saint-Cloud (Yvelines).
