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André Bourrie, one of France’s foremost
contemporary masters, is a distinguished
maritime and landscape artist. Bearing the
distinction of official Painter for the French Navy,
he has received innumerable awards, including
he Gold Medal of the prestigious “Salon de la
Marine” and the Gold medal of the “Salon des
Artistes Francais”
Born in Montpellier, France in 1936, Bourrie was
abandoned by both his father (in 1941) and his
mother (in 1945). He then lived alone until an
uncle placed the young Bourrie in an
orphanage. It was this harsh period that proved
critical to his coming of age and was quite
possible the most important influence in his
becoming an artist. It was during this period that
Bourrie developed an affinity for his immediate
surroundings – in his words, “ listening to a place
and a moment in time”. It is these intuitive
characteristics that are today reflected in his
paintings.
Without parental security and guidance, the
young Bourrie found solace and joy on colors,
light, textures and forms. It is not a coincidence
that he became a self taught artist with such a
melancholic start in life. Working as a ceramist in
adolescence, Bourrie gave this up after a
philanthropist offered to provide him with a
formal education. Bourrie then sought a career
with more of an artistic initiative. He immersed
himself in the world of artists and creations,
sharing ideas and styles. For years he lived
outdoors, traveling and exploring the harbors,
seaside’s and beaches of the French Riviera,
Vendee and the Languedoc region of France.
Working as a decorative painter, Bourrie
devoted his leisure time to drawing and painting
“for himself”. It was only when he felt ready that
he decided to present his paintings in art shows.
In 1979 – six years after being presented with the
Silver Medal of the Salon des Artistes Francais;
Andre Bourrie felt secure enough to leave the
constraints of full time employment.
Today, Andre Bourrie is renowned for his
magnificent paintings of the French countryside
and seaside. His original oil paintings are
represented in the United States and Europe
and have been exhibited extensively in Paris as
well as New York, Chicago, Beverly Hills, Palm
Beach, London, Tokyo, Osaka, and other major
cities. His work has also been acquired for the
permanent collections of La Ville de Versailles
and Le Musee Corot de Ville d’ Avray.
Andre Bourrie’s open edition prints are published
by Rinehart Fine Arts, a member of the Bentley
Publishing Group of Walnut Creek, California
and
sold worldwide.
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