Friends, 2023

Hervé Maury  

Hervé Maury paints animals as one paints landscapes or portraits, "living natures" that are funny and seductive in their apparent simplicity. Pigments and other materials blend together, movements and reliefs burst forth, capturing a special moment on each canvas. The artist transforms his enchanted bestiary into a family that shares a daily life in search of exoticism and absolute poetry.
This work features two stylized bears, submerged mid-torso in blue water. The bear on the left wears sunglasses, adding a playful, laid-back touch. Their silhouettes are sketched with dynamic brushstrokes, blending hues of white, red, and orange, creating a striking contrast with the serene blue of the water. The texture is accentuated by thick paint strokes, lending a tactile depth to the scene. The delicately suggested facial expressions capture an intimate interaction between the two figures, arousing curiosity. This composition combines simplicity and sophistication, evoking a world where we perceive a snapshot of camaraderie and tranquility. The subtle balance between abstraction and figuration irresistibly draws the eye, making this work a captivating and unique piece.