Henri Biva (1848-1928) - The Basket of Roses

Henri Biva was born in Paris in 1848. He began his career as a painter at the age of 25, as a student at the French Academy. His teachers were William Bouguereau, Benjamin Constant and Jules Lefebvre.

Biva is an academic painter of landscapes, still lifes, and flowers. The technique with which he excels is oil on canvas, but he also practices watercolor and pastel. At the 1886 Blanc et Noir exhibition, he presented "Une rue de Ville-d'Avray, la nuit" (A street in Ville-d'Avray at night) and "Roses of Nice and wallflowers" (Roses of Nice and wallflowers). He participated in the Salon des Artistes Français many times. Biva reached a high level of fame at the turn of the century and became a respected teacher in his own right.

Of exceptional size, this painting is a major work of the artist. It is an oil on canvas that Biva painted at the age of 43, when he had just received several awards. The subject matter is rather rare for the artist, whose works are mostly of undergrowth. Here, his excellent academic training comes to the fore, especially with the fine drawing of the wicker basket. The composition is bold, with a gigantic bouquet in the foreground, which gives the viewer the impression of lying in the grass. This "still life in nature" also allows Biva to express his great talent as a colorist. The variety of green tones is exceptional, contrasting with the warm tones of the roses. For a format of this size, it should be noted the excellent state of conservation of the painting which is still on its original canvas. The original frame is also of great quality, in wood and gilded stucco, perfectly restored.

Museums:
Paris, Orsay Museum
Bayeux, Baron Gérard Museum
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