<p> Jules R. Herve was born in Langres, a small town in eastern France, into an artistic family. His father was an accomplished painter. Perhaps because of his father, no other career ever occurred to Jules. From an early age, he wanted to depict what he saw around him in paint.</p> <p>He was first instructed by his father and then by a local school. He also studied with Cormon and Jules Adler while continuing his studies at the Ecole des Arts Decorative and the Ecole des Beaux Arts. In 1910, he first exhibited with the Salon des Artistes Francais. He would eventually become an important member o this group and win a Silver Medal, 1914. And a Gold Medal, 1925, from the Salon.</p> <p>Jules received favorable reviews and earned a teaching certificate in the early teens. Then his career was interrupted by the First World War. He did not return to painting until 1920. He again quickly gained recognition and, in 1924, was awarded a travel grant by the French government allowing him to travel throughout Europe.</p> <p>Over the following years he continued to paint the French cities and people he knew and loved. He received numerous awards including a Gold Medal for Painting at the International Paris Exhibition, 1937, the Legnay Prize, and the “Belle Table”. He participated in the Salon des Artistes Francais and had numerous private museum exhibitions until his death in 1981.</p> <p>Herve painted all aspects of French life. His affection and understanding of his subject is evident when looking at “Jules R. Herve”, by Bernard Masson. This excellent survey of Herve’s career shows Jules’ wonderful use of color and his varied interests. Each of his paintings shows people in everyday activities - in parks, churches, interiors, at play or at the ballet. He also painted in all seasons from bright sunlit villages to parks blanketed in snow in winter. Viewing Herve’s paintings, we see a moment frozen in time. He is, through his color technique, sharing his affection and joy of his subject with us.</p>