HENRI FARRÉ (American 1871-1934). Dog Fight, 1916. Oil on canvas. 38.5in. x 51.25in.. Signed and dated lower left: 1916 H Fa...

Description

HENRI FARRÉ (American 1871-1934)
Dog Fight, 1916
Oil on canvas
38.5in. x 51.25in.
Signed and dated lower left: 1916 H Farre
Verso label: Philadelphia Galleries

Born in France in 1871, Henri Farré later moved to the United States and lived in Chicago. In 1914, at the age of 43, he returned to France to fight for his homeland during World War I. He was appointed by the French government to record air fighting from the skies, making him a pioneer in the painting of war pictures from the air. He flew many dangerous combat missions, the result of which are first-hand, in-flight combat scenes that he later used as the basis for over 170 canvas paintings.

His war paintings were exhibited in the United States and at the Paris Salon in 1933 where his work won a gold medal. He was awarded the prestigious French Medal of the Legion of Honor for his service. He returned to America where he was later commissioned to paint portraits of many illustrious United States Air Force officers during the 1950s.

Condition: no paint loss, some craquelure

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