Callaghans of Shrewsbury is delighted to exhibit a series of stunning works by Claude Venard, world-renowned French post-cubist painter. 

Born in 1913, Venard dedicated his life to painting at the age of 17. He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts for just two days, before studying at the École des Arts Appliqués for six years.  In 1938, he signed the Rupture manifesto and participated in the first exhibition of the influential group of artists Forces Nouvelles (‘New Forces’), alongside Marchand, Gruber and Tal-Coat. Eventually, though, Venard would rebel against them and forge his own unique style, characterised by bold, vibrant colours, thick brushstrokes, and fragmented geometric forms.

In 1940, after being called up for military service on the Rhine Frontier, he was taken prisoner by the Germans. Not to be dissuaded, Claude took advantage of the guards’ disinterest and simply walked out, carrying a bucket as the pretext for some obscure chore! 

This somewhat rebellious, nonconformist streak is seen throughout the course of his career—Venard pushed the boundaries of tradition, experimenting with cubism, a movement that shattered traditional notions of perspective and dimension, and elements of abstraction. He was at the forefront of Paris’ cultural renaissance in the 1950s, exploring avant-garde techniques and becoming a highly influential figure in the French art scene. Venard’s use of flat planes and sharp angles gave his paintings a sense of dynamism and energy, while his rich impasto and palette knife technique allowed him to add a highly textured approach to his works and allowed him to create a visceral, “raw” strain of the geometric aesthetic. 

He portrayed a wide range of subject matter, including his famous still-lifes in which he transformed the mundane scenes of flowers, foodstuffs and vases into vivid fragmented forms which defied the conventional and embraced the unique. He captured the essence of Parisian life during the 1950s, often depicting scenes of bustling streets, cafés and markets in his own distinctive style.

Before his death, Claude Venard gained recognition for his paintings, featuring in contemporary art exhibitions around the world, starting in 1935. Still a highly celebrated artist, Venard’s works are included in the permanent collection of the Modern Art Museum in Paris, the Tate Gallery in London, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Tokyo Museum. 

Venard died in 1999, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of the most prominent post-cubist avant-garde artists of his time.

Looking for a masterpiece to complete your wall? Pop into the gallery to come and see Claude Venard’s work for yourself, or simply call or email a member of the team to enquire.