Biography

Emile Miloud Boukerche is a classical painter of the 20th century.

"I am above all a painter who, even after a long career, has been interested in all the spectacles of the world, all the aspects of nature, under the endlessly changing play of light. But, among these aspects of nature and the world, there is one that has captured my attention before any other: that of a mankind and his portrait.” (Emile Miloud Boukerche, 1972).

Born in 1908 in Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria, Émile Miloud Boukerche passed away in 1978 at his home in the Paris region, France. The painter had a long, rich, and varied career in the art world. His work was shaped by his strong academic training and his unique native North African and European cultural heritage. He gained international recognition for his prolific and diverse body of work, particularly for his orientalist paintings, portraits of prominent figures, and remarkable copies of major French masterpieces, all certified by the Musée du Louvre. He also painted large film posters for Gaumont Cinemas in Paris.

Education

Emile Miloud Boukerche studied art in Oran and Lyon and graduated from the École Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris between 1935 and 1938. He worked in the silk factories of Lyon and in the studio of the notable french painter Louis Roger (1874-1954). He was trilingual, fluent in Arabic, French, and Spanish.

Types of Works

Drawing inspiration from his prominent influencers Jean-Auguste Dominique Ingres (1780-1867), Nasreddine-Etienne Dinet (1861-1929), and Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun (1755-1842), he naturally aligned himself with the Orientalist movement. As a forerunner of classical Algerian painting, he was among the first to adopt the technique of oil painting on canvas. Deeply influenced by his indigenous culture and extensive ethnological studies of the Maghreb, his art would celebrate the unique light, atmosphere, daily life, and the profound soul of Algeria and Morocco.

He is also renowned for his skill in portrait painting, completing a prolific series of commissions for royal and princely courts, heads of state and government, artists and intellectuals, as well as collectors and art enthusiasts, across Europe, the Maghreb, North America and South America.

Certifications

A master of classical painting, known for his meticulous attention to detail and faithful reproduction of works, he was certified as an official copyist by the Musée du Louvre and accredited at the Château de Compiègne and the Château de Chantilly. At these prestigious locations, he expertly recreated several masterpieces, including two monumental paintings, considered significant works in the history of French art.

The scientific institute of the Louvre will also certify him as a specialist in painting techniques for the conservation and aging of paintings over time. He works in close collaboration with Madame Magdeleine Hours (1913-2005), Chief Curator of the Musée du Louvre and former Director of the Scientific and Archaeological Research Laboratory of the Museums of France (L.R.M.F.), to pioneer art conservation, restauration and scientific research. In particular, Emile Miloud Boukerche contributed his deep expertise of classical painting techniques, and innovative and practical research on the chemical composition and aging of oil paints and glues.

Awards and International Recognition

In 1936, Émile Miloud Boukerche won the First Prize at the Société des Artistes Indépendants in Paris for a still life, marking the beginning of a distinguished career in the French art scene. From 1940 onward, he regularly exhibited at the prestigious Salon d'Automne in Paris, a key event for showcasing contemporary art.

In 1945, the painter was awarded the Honorary Medal by the Société des Artistes Français, an acknowledgment of his exceptional artistic talent and contributions to the art world. That same year, he also received the Prix de la Savoie, a notable distinction that recognized his technical skill and mastery in painting.

In 1965, he was awarded the Silver Medal at the Société des Artistes Français, further cementing his reputation in the art community for his refined technique and dedication to his craft. The following year, in 1966, Boukerche achieved one of the highest honors of his career with the Gold Medal, a prestigious accolade given to artists who demonstrate excellence in their work. This recognition by the French Artists Society highlighted Boukerche’s mastery in classical and Orientalist art, as well as his contributions to the world of painting.

Throughout his career, the painter built an international reputation, firmly establishing himself as a prominent figure in the art world. His works have been showcased in renowned auction houses such as Sotheby’s, Drouot, and Osenat, and exhibited in cities including Cleveland, New York, Paris, Nice, Antibes, Mandelieu-la-Napoule, Brussels, Madrid, Algiers, Casablanca, Moscow and Tokyo.

A remarkable copy of the painting The Empress Eugénie and Her Ladies-in-Waiting by Winterhalter, was displayed at the Opera Garnier in Paris before being sold at the highly publicized "Forbes Collection" auction in July 2016 and sold for 120,000 EURO. In 2023, the copy was preempted by the State of France for the benefit of the museum of the Château de Fontainebleau.

Émile Miloud Boukerche enjoyed a long and devoted career that took him across France, Spain, Italy, Algeria, Morocco, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and the United States. His works are part of major private collections, including those of the Moroccan royal family, European and Argentinian nobility, prominent French figures and notable American patrons. Some of his paintings are on display in the National Museum of Art in Algiers. Most recently Boukerche's magnifient copy of the painting The Empress Eugénie and Her Ladies-in-Waiting by Winterhalter is on display at the Château de Fontainebleau, as a decorative element.

Citations

Émile Miloud Boukerche’s artistic talent is reflected in his meticulous attention to detail, mastery of warm and radiant color palettes, and his ability to portray his subjects with depth and authenticity. His creative process was marked by a close and thoughtful collaboration with his models, bringing a unique dimension to each piece. This recognition is further affirmed by numerous private letters from clients and experts, excerpts of which are presented below: