André Bertounesque

André Bertounesque (1937–2005, Sainte-Livrade, France) immigrated to Quebec in 1951 and, while self-taught, built a career distinguished by luminous oil paintings. Beginning in a modest studio at his hair salon, he developed a reputation for intimate scenes, portraits, and landscapes imbued with sensitivity and light. Deeply inspired by Provence, his canvases reflect a poetic vision of nature and quiet introspection. His work remains an enduring part of Quebec’s artistic heritage.André Bertounesque (1937–2005, Sainte-Livrade, France) was a self-taught painter whose luminous canvases earned him recognition as part of Quebec’s artistic heritage. Immigrating to Quebec in 1951, he worked various trades before turning to painting in earnest. In the back of his hair salon he created a makeshift studio, producing works for clients who quickly recognized his talent. From these modest beginnings, he built a prolific career devoted to oil painting.

Bertounesque became known for his mastery of light and his ability to render intimate, atmospheric scenes with sensitivity and warmth. During the 1970s and 1980s, he explored portraits, nudes, seascapes, and quiet interiors, all reflecting an introspective tranquility. Just as central to his work was Provence, whose radiant colours and sunlight inspired some of his most evocative paintings. His canvases evoke soft landscapes animated by graceful figures, trees heavy with shade and clarity, and waters that invite rest and reflection.

Throughout his career, Bertounesque developed a poetic, luminous style that balanced natural observation with emotional resonance. His paintings, bursting with colour and light, continue to connect viewers to both nature and inner calm. Today his works are held in major galleries and collections worldwide, affirming his enduring contribution to Quebec and Canadian art.