Herve Masson (Mauritian, 1919 -1980), Cityscape

Oil on canvas, 1958, signed and dated at lower right, presented in a later gilt frame.

Stretcher size 17 x 23 in.; Frame dimensions 22 3/4 x 29 3/4 in.

Hervé Masson was a leading Mauritian painter, writer, and cultural figure whose work played a central role in shaping modern art on the island. Born in Rose Hill, Mauritius, he studied art in Paris at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière and the École des Beaux-Arts, where he absorbed the influences of European modernism before returning to Mauritius in the early 1940s. Masson became one of the principal advocates for the development of a distinct Mauritian artistic identity, helping to establish the island’s first modern art movements and contributing to public cultural life through teaching, journalism, and political engagement.

Masson’s paintings combine elements of post-Impressionist and expressionism often depicting Mauritian landscapes, urban scenes, and island life. In addition to his artistic practice, Masson was influential as a critic and intellectual, publishing essays and commentary that supported the recognition of Mauritian art both locally and internationally.

Good estate condition.