Christian Gaillard

Christian Gaillard ( – ) was a French painter born in Avignon, France. He lived in Paris as well as in Arles, France.
His figurative style was inspired by Spanish painters including Vélasquez, Zurbarán, Goya, Zuloaga and the Mexican Baroque.
He was the first painter born outside of Spain to be awarded First Prize by the Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla. The winning painting is now part of the Maestranza’s collection.
When asked about his classical style, Gaillard stated: “Whether or not an approach can be labeled modern is not very important; what matters is that it be unique.” His technique as a painter was grounded in photography and video, mediums in which he also worked.
Biography.
As a child, Gaillard moved around a lot because of his father Robert’s career in banking. His mother, Renée Tissot, came from a family with a pronounced taste for, and knowledge of, embroidery and couture. He had two brothers, Pierre and Jean. He had one son, Solal, with .
Christian Gaillard was married to Ana Cristina Sánchez from 1980-1986. He married Susana Elkin in 2006.
Education.
Gaillard received his degree from the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs (ENSad) on the rue d’Ulm in Paris.
After trying his hand at animation, he was admitted to the newly-formed department of animation arts at the École des Gobelins but he declined the offer in order to focus on illustration.
After completing his studies at the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs, he enjoyed a successful career as an illustrator, leading him to design several covers for magazines such as "Le Point", "Télérama", "Le Figaro magazine", and "Le Monde de la musique". He also worked as an illustrator for a number of advertising campaigns for companies such as Lindt Chocolates and Grant’s Whiskey. In addition, he also illustrated numerous book covers and cinema posters.
Career.
His encounter with the bullfighter Nimeño II, Christian Montcouquiol, introduced him to bullfighting and marked the beginning of his work on this theme, which he developed throughout his life. His paintings were created in the wake of friendly encounters with bullfighters such as , José Ortega Cano, Juan Bautista, , Juan José Padilla among many others.
His portraits often represent bullfighters from behind, posing in the "relaxed posture of the beast-taming gladiator". “Be it next to, below, alongside, or beyond, Gaillard’s paintings create ‘more than the real’.”
In 2002, he donated his painting Profile of courage, a tribute to the firefighters who lost their lives in New York City in the September 11 attacks, to the Paris Fire Brigade. This painting was in turn donated to its sister institution, the New York City Fire Department, to mark their partnership. Printed reproductions of the painting were sold to raise funds for New York City firefighters.
Christian Gaillard painted more than 300 large-format works. His paintings are part of private collections in France, Spain, Mexico, Israel and Hong Kong, as well as museum collections.
He also created posters for bullfighting festivals including the Feria du Riz in Arles and the Feria d’Istres, among others.
Exhibitions and Museums.
Gaillard’s work has been shown in several Galleries in Paris: Caplain-Matignon Espace Adamski, Epry-Cayla, Kamel Mennour, Ariel Sibony, and Ariel Jakob.
His work has also been exhibited in several cities in the south of France: Hôtel Imperator et Chapelle des Jésuites in Nîmes. Ex-projection with Philippe Schiepan at the Église des Frères prêcheurs, Terre et Pierre, Hôtel de l’Amphithéâtre, and La Maison Close in Arles. Galérie Dom-Art in Dax; Sophie Jullien gallery in Béziers; Galerie Éloge de l’ombre in Uzès.
Internationally, his work has been shown at the Centre Albert Camus in Madagascar; at the Connoisseur Art-Gallery in Hong Kong and Singapore; at Art Miami, the Ambassador Gallery in New York City, at Jonse-Terwilliger Fine Arts in Carmel; at the Green House Gallery in San Antonio; at Art-Catto in Portugal.
In 2006, Gaillard was chosen to illustrate the entry tickets for a bullfighting season in San Isidro, Plaza de toros Las Ventas, Madrid, Spain.
He designed the poster for the "Feira Internacional do cavalo lusitano", Golegã, Portugal.
The "Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla" owns the winning painting "Azul gris y oro", oil on canvas, 139 x 97 cm.
The Museum of Taurine Cultures Henriette and Claude Vialat has a number of Gaillard’s in its collection including Marie Sara en traje corto bleu and Nimeño II. Several drawings may also be consulted on demand.
The FDNY owns his painting Profile of Courage, oil on canvas, 130 x 89 cm, New York, USA.