Yves Brayer — Horses in the Camargue — Colour lithograph

Horses and foals gather beside the water amid blues, ochres and oranges. Yves Brayer constructs the scene with black outlines, broad light areas and horizontal bands of landscape.

Horses in an open landscape

Yves Brayer (1907–1990) was a French figurative painter associated with the landscapes of Provence and the Camargue. In this lithograph, a light-coloured horse and a foal occupy the foreground. Other horses gather beside the water and lead the eye towards the low horizon.

Water and vegetation in contrast

The blues of the water and sky contrast with the warm tones of the land and the shrub on the right. Dark strokes define the animals' bodies and the branches, while the lighter horses stand out among the planes of colour. Birds and a small building extend the space beyond the main group.

Technical details

• Artist: Yves Brayer.
• Title / subject: Horses and foals in the Camargue.
• Period: Second half of the 20th century.
• Technique and support: Colour lithograph on paper.
• Dimensions: 56.5 × 67.5 cm.
• Signature: ‘Yves Brayer’ signature in the lower right corner, printed as part of the image.
• Provenance: Private collection.
• Condition: Very good. Slightly toned paper and a crisp image.
• Inspection guarantee: Guaranteed 30-day return period to inspect the work in person.

The Taller Note

The horses form a sequence from the pair in the foreground to the animals in the distance. The orange shrub on the right balances the light mass of the horse. Blue bands of water connect the two sides and keep the landscape open between the figures.