François Enault (1869–1918) – Apple Picking

François ENAULT (1869–1918)

Apple picking in the Cotentin, Manche
Oil on canvas, signed lower right, dated 1914
73 × 92 cm

Norman to the very depths of his soul, he created, together with Louis Beuve, the “Bouais Jan”, an association aiming to bring together Normans living in Paris. His paintings are inspired by his native region: market scenes, scenes of daily rural life, Norman interiors, seascapes, old manor houses of Coutances, and the surroundings of Cherbourg, Barneville, and Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue. Nothing escaped his keen eye during his rambles through the Manche. His works are scenes of life depicting the daily reality of rural Cotentin: markets, farm interiors, fairs, festivities, fishing, and customs. He painted and described people and landscapes as they truly were. An entire part of the heritage of the Cotentin can be found in his works, which also serve as historical documents of the pre-war period. Louis Beuve aptly said: “He painted in dialect.”