Benoit Havard is a captivating French artist from Orléans, celebrated for his luminous oil and acrylic paintings. His dynamic urban and marine scenes transform everyday moments into vivid, emotional tapestries, enchanting global audiences.
Known for his bold palette and palette knife techniques, Havard’s work pulses with energy, blending impressionist influences with modern spontaneity. His art explores themes of light, movement, and the human experience, resonating deeply with viewers.
From French galleries to international collections, Havard’s paintings invite contemplation of familiar places anew. With a growing presence in the art world, he continues to inspire through his evocative and masterful creations.
Biography
Born: 1981, Orléans, France
Benoit Havard, born in 1981 in Orléans, France, discovered his passion for art at age six, guided by his mother’s visits to galleries and museums. The vibrant energy of French landscape painter Michel Jouenne left a lasting impression, shaping his early creative vision.
In 1998, Havard enrolled at the École des Beaux-Arts de Cherbourg, studying under artists Lejeune and Valadié, though he soon embraced a largely self-taught path, valuing personal exploration over formal theories. By 19, he was painting full-time, initially experimenting with watercolours during travels to Morocco before mastering oils and acrylics.
Influenced by Monet’s light play, Turner’s atmospheric drama, and Jouenne’s bold landscapes, Havard’s work captures fleeting moments with dynamic brushstrokes. His travels inspire his focus on urban and coastal scenes, from Paris to New York, rendered with emotional depth. His 2004 debut exhibition in France marked his rise, showcasing his distinctive style.
Now based in Vire, Normandy, Havard creates in a studio filled with sketches and photographs from his journeys. He teaches workshops, sharing his belief that art should evoke feeling over precision. His works, found in collections like Louis Vuitton and La Française des Jeux, reflect his mastery of light and contrast.
Achievements
Benoit Havard’s notable contributions to art include the following:
Guest of Honor, Multiple French Art Fairs, 2004–present
Featured in Univers des Arts Magazine, 2011–2013
Works in Collections: Louis Vuitton, La Française des Jeux, 2010–present
Exhibitions at Galerie des Remparts, Bordeaux, 2017