L’Horizon de la Liberation: En Souvenir du 6/6/44

Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Ministry of Defence, Main Building, Whitehall

Miniscule figures stand and wave on a rocky outcrop, while others in small boats row out to greet a large flotilla of military amphibious craft, snaking its way towards the shore. The calm waters of the English Channel, beautifully painted in horizontal strokes of blue, mauve and green in this painting by Juliane Hervé, belie the drama of events that unfolded on 6 June 1944. Famously known as ‘D-Day’, or the Normandy Landings, this was the historic event during which the Allied Forces carried out a major military offensive. Although tiny in proportion, the figures in Hervé’s painting express a palpable sense of joy, encapsulating their enthusiasm and hope at witnessing the arrival of the Allies, an event that eventually led to the end of German occupation of France.

Hervé’s painting became part of the Government Art Collection in 1993 after it was discovered at the British Embassy in Paris. Although no record exists of how it came to be there, it is likely that the painting was presented to, or previously owned by, a former member of Embassy staff. 

Until recently, very little was known about the life or work of Juliane Hervé. Biographical information about Hervé available online indicates that she was born in Algeria in 1921 and died in 2006. She is believed to have exhibited her work at the Salon des Artistes Indépendants in Paris from 1979–88 of which she was an Associate for many years. Established in 1884, the Salon, like the Salon des Refusés, exhibited paintings by artists whose work had been barred from the official French Salon of the Académie Royale de Peinture.

Places

English Channel, France, Normandy

Subjects

amphibious craft, rowing boat, bathing, WW2 art, seascape/coastal scene, shore, World War II, Normandy landings (amphibious phase)

Materials & Techniques

canvas, oil, oil painting

Artist

Juliane Hervé (1921 - 2006)

Title

L’Horizon de la Liberation: En Souvenir du 6/6/44

Date

1944-1969

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

height: 73.00 cm, width: 60.00 cm

Acquisition

Origin uncertain

Inscription

bl: juliane hervé ; verso on label: Saln/d/Indepndt '69

GAC number

17067