Biography

Benoit Havard – View From The Southbank

Born in 1981 in Orleans, France, Benoit Havard began drawing and painting at the age of six. From an early age, his mother regularly took him to art galleries and museums. As a result, he developed a strong connection to expressive and energetic artworks.

In particular, Benoit was drawn to the work of French landscape painter Michel Jouenne, whose influence helped shape his early artistic direction.

Artistic Training and Early Career

In 1998, Benoit enrolled at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts de Cherbourg, where he studied under Lejeune and Valadie. During this period, he refined his technical skills and visual language. By the age of 19, Benoit was painting full-time.

Initially, he explored watercolours, especially during his travels to Morocco. However, his style soon evolved. Over time, he transitioned to oil painting, adopting the palette knife as his primary tool.

Urban Landscapes and Inspiration

Today, Benoit Havard is best known for his dreamlike urban landscapes. His paintings glow with warmth, light, and movement. He draws inspiration from his travels, using photographs of city scenes as a starting point. However, his goal is not photographic accuracy.

Instead, Benoit focuses on emotional expression. As he explains, he seeks to bring each subject into his own world.

Technique and Artistic Style

Benoit’s paintings are spontaneous and expressive. They focus on light and contrast rather than fine detail. Using bold palette knife strokes, he layers transparency, streaks, and soft fades. As a result, his work gains texture, rhythm, and energy.

He frequently depicts cities such as New York, London, and Paris. These urban scenes appear in their purest form, saturated with colour. Moreover, the balance between warm tones and cool blue greys gradually pushes his compositions towards abstraction.

Benoit typically begins by building the background. He then introduces figures, cars, and what he calls “life movement.” Only at the final stage does he add detail, allowing the shapes of the city to emerge.

Exhibitions and Collections

Since 2004, Benoit Havard has exhibited widely in galleries across Europe. In addition, he has been the guest of honour at numerous prestigious exhibitions. His artworks also feature in important private collections, including that of Louis Vuitton.