André Hambourg

 André Hambourg (1909-1999)

The artist André Hambourg (5 May 1909 - 4 December 1999) was a French impressionist, whose numerous works have earned international acclaim. His romantic compositions of Venice, luminous seascapes, and charming beach scenes, are synonymous with the highest standards of French painting.

André Hambourg was born in Paris on 5 May 1909. Entering the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Arts Decoratifs in 1926, he studied sculpture under Paul Niclausse for four years. The young artist then entered the studio of Lucien Simon at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts. While in the middle of his academic studies, Hambourg had his debut solo exhibition at the Galerie Taureau in Paris in 1928. He was only 19 years old at the time. Because of the early recognition of his talent, Hambourg became active in the important Paris salons in the first stages of his developing career. In 1931, he was made a member of the Salon de l’Art Français Indépendant and the Salon de l’Oeuvre Unique. 

The first of Hambourg’s many honors was the Prix de la Villa Abd-el-Tif, awarded in 1933. As a result, the artist traveled to North Africa for the first time, and would spend nearly ten years working in Algeria and Morocco. The powerful sunlight, as well as the bleak poverty of this region, inspired Hambourg’s canvases. In 1937, he executed a large mural for the Algerian Pavilion at the Exposition Internationale of Paris, earning the title of Laureate of the Exposition. Throughout his years in North Africa, Hambourg would exhibit his paintings in numerous one-man shows in Algeria, Oran and Paris. Eighty of his works were shown at such a show, at the Musée d’Outre-Mer in Paris in 1939.

In 1970 five hundred of his works formed a prestigious retrospective at the Maison de Culture in Bourges. Other notable shows include Drawings of Venice at Galerie Varine-Gincourt in Paris (1979), Bonjour New York at Wally Findlay Galleries in New York (1985), The Presence of André Hambourg at the Salon du Dessin (1986), André Hambourg in the Ivory Coast at Galerie Guigne in Paris (1987), and finally André Hambourg in Venice at Galerie Apesteguyin Deauville (1989).

Having past experience creating mural decorations for ships, Hambourg was asked to complete a 195 square foot mural, for the Audience Chamber of the new European Court of Justice in Luxembourg in 1972. One year later, this panoramic work was unveiled at an opening ceremony in the Hotel de Ville, attended by the President of Luxembourg, Robert Lecourt, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg.

On 4 December 1999 André Hambourg died in Paris after a long and prosperous career. Today his works can be found in the collections of museums such as the Musée National d'Art Moderne, the Musée national de la Marine, and the Musée des Arts d'Afrique et d'Océanie.

Hambourg wrote and illustrated two books relating what he had seen and experienced as a military correspondent. Berchtesgaden-Party and From Algiers to Berchtesgaden were published in 1947. The artist was also a prolific illustrator of collectors’ books for nearly 40 years.

Hambourg would receive many honors and awards over his lifetime. The Cross of the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, was given to him by the President of the French Republic in 1951. In 1986 he was made Commandeur des Arts et Lettres, as well as Commandeur of the Legion of Honor. Finally, in 1996 he became Grand Officier de l’Ordre National du Merite.