Galerie Paul Prouté

Ernest Guérin grew up surrounded by the works of art that his father collected. After studying at the École des Beaux-Arts in Rennes, he moved to Paris, where he joined the studio of an interior designer and architect. He trained in the art of stained glass and helped decorate the Hôtel Lutetia.
From an early age, Guérin was fascinated by the work of the Flemish Primitives, Gothic painters, and the Pre-Raphaelites, as well as by traditional techniques. This led him to enrich his practice of oil painting, gouache, and watercolor with the art of medieval illumination.
From the very beginning, the artist enjoyed international recognition. Prestigious commissions, notably from the British Crown, served as a testament to his talent. At the age of 26, in 1913, he was invited to exhibit at the Louvre (Pavillon de Marsan), where his work was met with great success. He then created large-scale decorative works for the Hôtel Moderne in Rennes and exhibited throughout France. But his attachment to his native region led him to leave Paris.
In late 1918, he settled in Quiberon, where, beginning in 1919, he established a sales network that his wife would efficiently manage. Ernest Guérin is known for his numerous depictions of Brittany, which he rendered with great authenticity. He painted scenes of rural life and traditional Breton festivals, capturing village customs.