Jules Herve's French Impressionism

Jules Herve was a French artist who simply wanted people to see beauty in the world through his perspective. He wasn't an artist who used his paintings to promote an ideology or conception. The most important aspect to Herve was to merely create an aesthetically beautiful work of art. Herve's use of color, subject matter, atmosphere and energy were all essential to his development as a French Impressionist.

Since an early age, Jules Herve always knew that he wanted to be an artist. Herve used this passion to enroll in evening art classes while he was young. Once Herve moved to Paris he went to the School of Decorative Arts where he began to exhibit in the Paris Salons. Eventually, Herve won numerous medals for his paintings in Paris; a silver medal at the Salon des Artistes Francais, a gold medal for his work related to the traveling scholarship he received from the French government, and prizes for both the Belle Table and Leguay. All these accolades led to his eventual election as Vice President to the Salon des Artistes Francais and a member of the jury to the Society of French Artists. Jules Herve was able to do this without changing his style to outside pressures and staying true to himself as an artist.

When looking at Herve's works, it is evident that modern Paris was his muse for his many Parisian streetscapes, waterways, gardens and interiors. Surrounded by magnificent architecture and lively Parisian streets, Jules Herve was able to capture this beauty through his paintings. His flowing brushstrokes would parallel Paris' energy and grandeur. Herve's Parisian scenes look alive with his brilliant use of radiant light and color. Like the classic French Impressionists, Herve would use color to harmonize his paintings. The colors would create the atmosphere in his works, which would then magnify the pace of movement. Sometimes his brushstrokes were more flowing and energized to enhance the vibrant mood of his work. While others have more subdued brushstrokes which make the mood and energy far more relaxed. Herve had a very good grasp on creating these emotions through his brushstrokes and colors.

Jules Herve was fascinated with the high class bourgeois society in Paris. He would often paint patrons going to the Opera house, or strolling down on of Paris' beautiful boulevards. Herve never used his paintings to make commentary about social issues, rather it was the fashion of the haute bourgeois society which was intriguing to Herve. These fashionistas gave a modern flavor to the urban environments which Herve would paint, giving his works a better visual appeal.

Jules Herve chose to work primarily alone without being influenced from outside artist and movements. His choice of solitude proved that Herve was comfortable in his own style and was unimpressed with the new artistic styles which were going on. Herve may not have gained a lot of inspiration from the artists who were painting during his time, however he was very influenced by some of the Impressionist masters who proceeded him. Herve also produced a collection of works which showed the dancers of the ballet. The angles, style and subject matter suggest that these works were done to pay homage to Degas.

Jules Herve's works are shown in museums throughout the world. His paintings are highly collectible and very well represented at auction houses and galleries. The beautiful nature of his paintings make them very adaptable to any environment. This reason will continue to make paintings by Jules Herve extremely desirable for generations to come. The appraisers and researchers at MIR Appraisal Services, Inc. are proud to have researched and evaluated a variety of Herve's works and would relish the opportunity to assist new clients with their art-related concerns.

Researched and written by Robert Snell

MIR Appraisal Services, Inc.
307 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 308
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (312) 814-8510

Works cited:

http://www.rwfinearts.com/?level=album&id=20

http://www.fada.com/browse_by_artist.html?gallery_no=30&artist=3306&bio=1

http://www.artnet.com/Artists/ArtistHomePage.aspx?artist_id=21267&page_tab=Bio_and_link

Restoration and Research Reveal Old Master

It has just been released that an undisclosed settlement has been reached between an English family and Christie’s auction house over a disputed Titian painting. The painting by the Old Master, depicting Salome with the head of St. John the Baptist on a platter, was sold by a brother and sister to Christie’s in 1994 for 8,000GBP only to stumble upon it in a 2004 exhibition entitled “The Age of Titian” at the Scottish National Gallery. In the years between the initial sale and the sibling’s discovery, the painting had been bought and restored by a private collector who sought out and gained authentication of the piece. With an estimated value of between 2.3 million and 3.8 million GPP the couple was obviously upset and filed a lawsuit before they settled out of court with the auction house. Amazingly, the piece even bears the royal monogram of Charles I and had at one point been a part of his personal gallery.

The case illustrates a number of important points about having a third party art appraisal. First, it proves that auction houses and appraisers are not created equal and some may risk a quick sale and forgo the research often required by pieces of questionable and tantalizing origins. In the complaint filed by the owners they claimed “breach of duty and/or negligence” and alleged that “had they been advised that restoration and cleaning work on the Old Master could have lead to verification that it was an original, they would have commissioned art experts to do so” (Brown).

MIR Appraisal Services, Inc. places a heavy premium on research and often suggests that clients have their pieces restored or conserved for the purposes of exposing secrets hidden by years of grime, damage and nicotine. Beyond aiding in further research, getting a restored piece can greatly increase the value and bring out its true brilliance and magnificence. Also, the case of the misdiagnosed Titian highlights the importance of a third party opinion should someone wish to part with a piece. A consultation is relatively inexpensive and almost always will end in saving the client money in the long run. Even if the consultation backs up the claim that it was not executed by an Old Master it will help reinforce your decision and aid peace of mind. Remember, auction houses seek to profit from the value of your artwork while a reputable art appraiser charges a flat fee and therefore is not influenced by the value. MIR Appraisal Services welcomes all potential clients to give us a call at (312) 814-8510.

Written and Researched by Justin Bergquist

MIR Appraisal Services, Inc.

Principal Appraiser: Farhad Radfar, ISA AM 


307 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 308 


Chicago, IL 60601 


(312) 814-8510

Works Cited:

Brown, Jonathan. “Couple Settle after their ‘Titian’ was Sold for a Song,” on The Independent Online.

Nautical Dressing Screen Painted for Simon Wexler Surfaces at MIR

Hidden Treasure
MIR Appraisal Services is full of art treasures from the world over, but few afford us the connections to regional artists for storied Chicago clients as a maritime dressing screen currently on display at MIR. Chicago has always been a city of culture and wealth, but these characteristics were most visible during the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th. While searching through the collection recently researchers at MIR Appraisal encountered an enormous three-panel screen, folded and packaged after its restoration and somehow forgotten in the office for several years. After discovering the piece, the work was unfolded and a beautiful work with a Hollywood ending was reveled.

The Maritime Panel
The three-panel artwork is nearly six feet high and features a port scene with a wider focus on an array of sailing ships at full sail. Small ships carrying mariners mingle among multi-sail ships topped with crows nests and complete with royal flags blowing in the wind. The piece is on three leather panels framed with wood and thatched together with strips of animal hide. The piece is of grand proportions, bold colors and looks like something straight out of a turn of the century children’s playroom. The whimsical scene recalls the countless children’s adventure novels written during the turn of the century and is a point of departure for the modern imagination as well.

Carroll Thayer Berry
The lower portion of the central panel prominently displays the title “Sailing Day” and notes that it was “Painted for Mr Simon Wexler of Chicago Ill. USA 1931 A.D.” The signature is more hidden but appears on the left panel in red, attributing the beautiful and airy painting to Carroll Thayer Berry. Berry was a talented artist who dabbled in illustration, printmaking and photography and is best remembered for his maritime scenes. Drawing inspiration from his upbringing in Portland, Maine, the artist earned a degree in Naval Architecture from the University of Michigan and worked for a number of engineering firms before leaving to work on the Panama Canal as an engineer. Berry departed Panama not long afterward and set out to become an artist, getting an early commission working on a mural for the administration building of the Canal. The artist served in the US Army during World War I and moved to Chicago where he met his wife and completed artistic commissions for some of the city’s wealthiest citizens. Later the artist returned to Maine with his wife where he continued to capture the maritime culture until his death.


The Wexler Family
The Wexler Family for whom the piece was created is almost as interesting as the artist’s storied life. Simon Wexler, the man for whom the piece was commissioned, was a prominent Chicago industrialist who is remembered as the founder of the Allied Radio Corporation which today is known as RadioShack (interestingly, MIR’s Michigan Avenue office space overlooks one of RadioShack’s many locations). Simon Wexler is remembered as a philanthropist who even had the mental health clinic named after him at the Michael Reese Hospital. Wexler had three sons named Haskell, Jerrold and Yale and one daughter by the name of Joyce. Yale appeared in a number of movies and television shows from the early 1950’s through the 1960’s and his brother Haskell has been nominated for five Academy Awards and won two for Best Cinematography. The Internet Movie Database (IMDB) notes that Haskell is still alive and has three children, two of which are also in the movie industry. The screen is quite beautiful and all the more unique because it is paired with this exceptionally rich and creative family history.


Clues to The Panel’s Past
There are no records concerning the original location of the panel but hints may be found in the archives of the Chicago Tribune. An article from 1951 makes note of a robbery at the Simon Wexler’s apartment at 2340 Lincoln Park West. The location still provides beautiful views of the Lake and the panel might be imagined in a lavish room overlooking Lincoln Park and Lake Michigan. Regardless of where it might have resided during the early days of its creation, it is now displayed prominently at MIR’s office in Chicago. Those wishing to see the breathtaking nautical themed dressing screen with its unique history are encouraged to call and schedule a visit. Additionally, our appraisers and research staff can assist with unveiling the value and/or history of particular items in your own collection.

Written and Researched by Justin Bergquist

MIR Appraisal Services, Inc.
Principal Appraiser and Director: Farhad Radfar, ISA AM
307 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 308
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (312) 814-8510

Works Cited:
“Carroll Thayer Berry,” on Penobscot Marine Museum website.
“Haskell Wexler,” on Internet Movie Database website.