Gertrude Harvey Art

Jean Grimal is a true 20th century discovery. This breathtaking piece is a gorgeous example of his mastery as an artist. He beautifully creates chiaroscuro in this painting. The way the light touches the edges of the Chinese bowl and the grapes is an example of his skill in representing light. Jean Grimal (1942-1998) was born in the town of Tulle, France in 1942. Jean’s family moved to Paris when he was 8 years of age. After receiving a classical French education with studies in Latin and Greek, Jean Grimal entered the University to receive his Baccalaureate. He then attended Claude Barnard School for three years, when he received his Art Degree.  Upon completion Grimal taught art for seven years.  As Grimal’s own interest in formal painting and art began to possess him, the artist’s destiny changed.  In 1967 Jean Grimal stepped aside from teaching and pursued a career in professional painting and working as an illustrator in advertising.  As an advertising illustrator, Grimal worked with Lise Goldfard for more than 25 years at Studio 44 where they collaborated with major and important accounts, such as: Air France, Christofle, Peugeot, Lacoste, to name a few. At the same time he began presenting his formal paintings to galleries in Paris and Cannes, France and in London and Windsor, England.  Much to his surprise, Grimal found that his paintings were sought after by major art galleries and collectors throughout Europe.  After a number of years of being an important and successful art illustrator for these major accounts, he found himself having to choose between the two.  Fortunately for collectors, he chose to dedicate his life to the classical style of painting.  Jean looked at the simplest things in life through a microscope, where he could take the simplest object and depict the age of the fruit or the leaf. Jean Grimal received great pleasure from his work and painted for over thirty years.  As his style matured and became ever more perfect Jean Grimal truly reached the pinnacle of his career.  The artist’s methods were particularly distinguished when measured against his peers.  Grimal’s painting skill was distinctive and exceptional. Jean Grimal was known for his realistic trompe l’oeil and still life paintings.  The artist would carefully arrange the objects to form a satisfying composition.  By painting every shadow, highlight, and reflection within each composition Grimal brought mundane subjects to life.  His tight rendering combined with his attention to light and detail allowed him to blur the lines between illusion and reality, truly making his works one of a kind.  Grimal’s trompe l’oeil paintings consist of intricate compositions of cards, envelopes, photographs, paper of different materials and weights, backs of canvases, images of other artists’ works, kitchen utensils, pistols, and more.  Grimal had a talent for mastering these illusions that deceive the eye in his trompe l’oeil paintings.    No matter what genre Grimal was painting, tight, unperceivable brushwork characterizes his work.  The artist painted every crease and crinkle, every shadow and highlight, every detail.  By doing so, he was able to capture each individual surface texture of the objects in his paintings.  Grimal was also fabulous at depicting light in his paintings- often contrasting strong lights with strong darks, creating chiaroscuro modeling.  His still life paintings are reminiscent of Dutch seventeenth century...

Josep Puigdengolas Barella (1906-1987) - Still Life - Oil on canvas Oil measures 89x116 cm. Frameless Josep Puigdengolas Barrella (Barcelona (1906 - 1987), was a Spanish landscape ...

Artwork sold with frame (51 x 59 x 5.5 cm)

José Miret Aleu (1912-1999) - Still life of peaches and cherries - Oil on canvas Oil measurements 50x61 cm. Frameless. Painter born in Barcelona in 1912. He studied drawing at the B...

"Still Life of Mushrooms in Undergrowth" French circa 1830's-1840's Oil on canvas Illegibly initialed lower right 17 3/4 x 13 1/4 (25 1/2 x 21 frame) inches This deftly painted depi...

This late work by Venny Soldan-Brofeldt, likely painted in the final years of her life, depicts two flowering Tallört plants (Monotropa hypopitys)—a delicate and unusual forest plant...

When you enter visually into the sumptuous scene captured in this painting, the unknown artist is playing with you. They are teasing you to slightly suspend your careful awareness of...

"The Orchard in Spring"  Camille Hilaire (1916 -2004)\ Oil on canvas 18 1/8 x 15 (24 1/2 x 22 5/8) inches   This painting by Camille Hilaire with its signature greens and deconstruc...

Title: "Mediterranean Flowers" Artist: Josep Miquel Serrano i Serra (Barcelona, 1912 – Sitges, 1982) Technique: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 36.2 x 24 in (92 x 61 cm) Date: Circa 1970s ...

Bouquet de Fleurs Pieter Wagemans Oil on Canvas Signed 'P Wagemans' (lower right) 74 x 60 cms / 29¼ x 23½ inches In Bouquet de Fleurs, Pieter Wagemans masterfully revives the Dutch ...

Still Life with Apples is an exquisite still-life painting that captures a quiet moment of abundance and peace. On a humble wooden table lies a cluster of ripe apples, their rosy and...

Luce Brélaz-Jacquet was a Swiss painter born in 1915. Although biographical details about her life and career remain scarce, she is recognized in Swiss art archives and known for he...