André and Berthe Noufflard

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Prize Noufflard

The biennial prize awards a young figurative artist, no older the 45 years of age, painting in oils.

Jacques-Emile Blanche

and the Noufflards


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Painter well – known in France and England where he had lived for a time, member of the institut, art critic and author of essays, Jacques-Emile Blanche (1861-1942) was the son of Dr. Emile Blanche, psychiatrist of the Parisian high society. Blanche’s portraits were full of life, the ensemble giving a gripping image of the world of art and literature of the time subsequently brought to life during the extensive exposition devoted to his works at the Beaux-Arts museum of Rouen (October 15,1997 - February 15, 1998).

He was Berthe’s first professor and it was at his home where Berthe and André first met. Read the account as explained by their daughter, Geneviève in the book, André Noufflard and Berthe Noufflard, their life, their paintings.

In 1904-05 Berthe began studying with J.-E. Blanche who was also a frequent guest at the home of Madame Langweil. He admitted Berthe to his personal studio in the suburb, Auteuil, thus giving her the advantage of his models, and where she soon became his “dear and excellent little student”. Later she followed him to “La Palette”, studio on the rue du Val-de-Grâce where some of the other professors were Lucien Simon, René Ménard, Charles Cottet… She was also received in his “salon”, particularly select where one could encounter the elite of the Parisian artistic, literary, political and musical world such as Paul Valéry, François Mauriac, André Gide, la Comtesse de Noailles, Francis Poulenc and many others. As Blanche had often painted in England there were also numerous British celebrities: George Moore, Walter Sickert, Mary Robinson, Hilda Trevelyan, the Saxton Nobles and their children.

The Blanches often took Berthe with them to their home in Offranville (Normandy). Madame Blanche and her two sisters were very welcoming, creating an atmosphere cordial and refined as well as visiting interesting places. These were marvellous moments for the young girl to whom Monsieur and Madame Blanche brought a vision,liberties and joy that enlightened her throughout her life.

The Blanches often took Berthe with them to their home in Offranville (Normandy). Madame Blanche and her two sisters were very welcoming, creating an atmosphere cordial and refined as well as visiting interesting places. These were marvellous moments for the young girl to whom Monsieur and Madame Blanche brought a vision,liberties and joy that enlightened her throughout her life.

The friendship of Monsieur and Madame Blanche with which they surrounded the couple, André and Berthe , endured all of their life. The Noufflards were included in the select and brilliant circle if friends among the most important figures of the time who frequented their homes in Offranville,near Fresnay, and in Paris (Auteuil). Berthe painted beautiful portraits and drawings of the Blanches and their family, among which is the portrait of Mme Blanche1912-(Beaux-Arts Museum Rouen): portrait of J.E. Blanche 1931-(Carnavalet Museum-Paris). Tea at Offranville 1939-(City Hall-Offranville), Berthe’s last portrait before WW2.

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