“La Lune éclaire la Foret”

Claude Picher was a prominent figure in 20th-century Quebec figurative art. Trained at the École des beaux-arts de Québec and later at the École du Louvre in Paris, he developed a signature style defined by bold black outlines and a vibrant, thick application of color. His landscapes, often inspired by the Charlevoix and Bas-Saint-Laurent regions, capture the rugged beauty of the Quebec winter with remarkable expressive power.

In addition to his career as a painter, Picher played a vital role in the cultural sector: he served as the first assistant director of the Musée de la province (now the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec) and represented Canada internationally on several occasions, including at the Venice Biennale.

His works are held in numerous public collections, such as the National Gallery of Canada and the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec. In 1960, he became the first Canadian artist to be awarded a grant from the prestigious Salvador Dali Foundation.