Ours zen, 2025

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 complicit in an everyday life in search of exoticism and absolute poetry. This captivating work depicts a bear with textured fur, a blend of warm tones ranging from orange to brown. The seated pose, with its arms elegantly crossed, gives an almost human dignity to this mysterious being. The artist skillfully used layers of paint to create a texture that betrays both a roughness and a visual softness. The expressive eyes stand out, bringing a spiritual depth to the character. This contrast between simplicity of form and richness of detail adds an intriguing dimension to the work. The neutral background highlights the central figure, focusing attention on its distinctive features. This painting engages the viewer in a reflection on the duality between humanity and animality, highlighting the artist's creativity in his unique representation.