London Retrospective for Eminent French Artist, Armand Berthe

The Air Gallery, London, 6-18 June

May 10, 2005 - Press Dispensary - One of the last links with the famous artists and writers of the 20th century, Armand Berthe, celebrates his 80th birthday this year. An exhibition of his work, spanning more than 50 years of painting, will be held at The Air Gallery, Dover Street, London W1 from 6-18 June. 1212Former head of restoration at The Louvre in Paris, Berthe worked on the canvases of Dali, Cézanne and Rousseau, restored ancient Egyptian frescos and pursued perfection in his own paintings. During a colourful and eventful life, including being seriously wounded during the liberation of Alsace in 1944, living as a shepherd in the Pyrenees, working in coal mines and - after art school - living in the Luberon in the 1950's with the well-known artists and writers of that time, Berthe became a best-selling artist. He was awarded the Diplôme d'Honneur de l'Art Libre (Paris) in 1957. 1212His early work underwent a transition from the grey to the luminous: an historical portrait of French rural life. Later works distorted perspective but recently his paintings have metamorphosed into the abstract. Works on show in this exhibition cover all aspects of his work and include early paintings on loan from private collections. 1212This is the third London show for Berthe: a welcome return to the city of his mother's birth. He will attend the first few days of the exhibition. 1212-ends- 12

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Notes for editors
Armand Berthe is represented in the UK by Quayside Gallery (http://www.quayside.co.uk). 1212More information on the life of Armand Berthe and a catalogue of the paintings for the exhibition can be found on www.quayside.co.uk/abexhib05.htm 12

For further information please contact:
Linda Saunders, Armand Berthe
Tel: 0033 4 66247318 / 07710 1
Email:
Site: www.quayside.co.uk/abexhib05.htm