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André Hambourg | Romantic Seascape painter

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André Hambourg (May 5, 1909 - Dec 4, 1999) was born in Paris and received an education at l’École Nationale Superieure des Arts Decoratifs under Paul Nicolausse and at l’École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts. Hambourg had his first solo exhibition at the young age of 19 at the Galerie Taureau in Paris, and soon after became a staple in the Paris Salons.
In 1933, Hambourg was awarded🎨 the Prix de la Villa Abd-el Tif. As a result of this award, he was able to travel to North Africa, where he spent nearly a decade painting in Algeria and Morocco. Throughout his years in North Africa, Hambourg exhibited his paintings in numerous one-man shows.




In 1939 he served as a military reporter and artist working on the staff of the Journal dul Commissariat a la Guerre, where special missions on combat vessels eventually led to his appointment as a war correspondent in 1944 with the staff of inter-allied SHAEF. In recognition of his wartime contributions Hambourg was awarded the Croix de Guerre and a Chevalier of the Ordre de la Sante Publique.

He then returned to his artistic career and became the official painter of the Navy in 1952. This maritime aspect of his career resulted in several unique honors being bestowed upon him, including being awarded the Laureate of the Salon de la Marine, and becoming the official painter of the Marine Ministry.
His late career also awarded🎨 him with the special honor of painting a monumental mural for the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.
Unveiled in 1973, its opening ceremony was attended by the President, Duke, and Duchess of Luxembourg.


Hambourg gained a rare amount of recognition during his lifetime; his paintings hang in more than fifty museums in France and around the world.
His Venetian scenes, calm landscapes, and serene seascapes project a luminosity that brings life to the heart of each of his paintings. In all of his travels, Hambourg carried his own artistic ambience with him. He caught the color of each particular transient moment, held it and magnified it in a dynamic mutability, making him and his paintings synonymous with the highest standards of French Art🎨.





Awards🎨 and Salon participation


  • Salon de l’Art Français Indépendant;
  • Salon de l’Oeuvre Unique;
  • Salon d’Automne;
  • 1951 - The Cross of Chevalier of the Legion of Honor;
  • 1986 - Commandeur des Arts et Lettres;
  • 1986 - Commandeur of the Legion of Honor;
  • 1996 - Grand Officier de l’Ordre National du Merite.



























Il pittore Francese André Hambourg (1909-1999) è nato a Parigi il 5 maggio 1909.
Ha studiato scultura all'Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs, sotto la guida di Paul Niclausse, e pittura presso lo studio di Lucien Simon à l'Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts.
Nel 1928 tenne la sua prima mostra personale alla Galerie du Taureau di Parigi. A causa della precoce riconoscimento del suo talento, nel 1931 è stato nominato membro del Salon de l'Art Français Indépendant e il Salon de l'Oeuvre Unique.
La prima di molte onorificenze🎨 di Hambourg fu il premio de la Villa Abd-el-Tif, conferito nel 1933. Di conseguenza, l'artista viaggiò in Algeria. La luce del sole potente, così come la povertà desolante di questa regione, hanno ispirato tele di Hambourg di quel periodo. Fino al 1935 Hambourg espose in numerose mostre personali in Algeria, Oran e Parigi. Nel 1937, eseguì un grande murale per il padiglione algerino all'Esposizione Internazionale di Parigi.



Nel 1939 la chiamata alle armi e nel 1943 la mobilitazione come reporter militare e disegnatore nel Journal de Commissariat à la Guerre, il giornale dell'esercito francese; come corrispondente militare ha preso parte alle campagne in Alsazia e Germania, così come alla liberazione di Francia. Prima della fine della guerra, Hambourg divenne il primo delegato francese alla Four Arts Aid Society. Per il suo aiuto per artisti francesi in questo periodo, è stato fatto Cavaliere dell'Ordre de la santé publique.
Nel 1952 Hambourg divenne il pittore ufficiale della Marina Militare.
Ha intrapreso numerosi viaggi esponendo così in tutto il mondo: Venezia, l'Unione Sovietica, Israele, Gran Bretagna, Senegal, Costa d'Avorio, Marocco, Germania, Belgio, Lussemburgo, Giappone, Cina, Porto Rico, Messico e Stati Uniti.
Il 4 dicembre 1999 André Hambourg si è spento a Parigi. Oggi le sue opere si trovano nelle collezioni di musei come il Musée National d'Art Moderne, il Musée national de la Marine e il Musée des Arts d'Afrique et d'Oceania.