Camille HILAIRE - Kiosk in the Castle’s Park, circa 1955 - signed oil on canvas

Camille Hilaire : Camille Hilaire was a french painter born in Metz in 1916. He began painting, drawing after nature and imitating Holbein or Dürer. His work was recognized by Jean Giono and Nicolas Untersteller, future director of the Fine-arts school of Paris, who invited him in his painting workshop in Metz. Registered under a false name, Leblanc, at the Fine-arts school of Paris during the dark years of the Occupation, he also attended the André Lhote academy. In 1947, he was professor at the National Art School of Nancy then, in the Fine-arts school of Paris in 1958. His work may be situated between Post-cubism and Figuralisme (Word painting). He created a great fresco for the Georges de la Tour high-school in Metz. He also designed the stained glass of Sainte-Anne church of Nancy. Works by Camille Hilaire are also kept in the "Musée de la Cour d'Or" in Metz. The artist died in 2004.