552 - René-Yves CRESTON (1898–1964)

René-Yves CRESTON (1898–1964) Oyster Fisherwoman from Cuhan Island, La Trinité-sur-Mer Watercolor on paper, 1929 Inscribed “île Cuhan” in the lower right corner and dated “22.3.(19)29” Viewing dimensions: 38 cm x 47 cm Preparatory work for the illustrations in the portfolio “Quelques phases de la vie de l'huître …,” published by Maison Prunier and containing all sixteen plates printed from the original watercolors created in 1929 and depicting the stages of oyster harvesting, including this one. This portfolio, a copy of which is held by the Musée de Bretagne in Rennes, was given as a gift to Maison Prunier’s “premium” clients. The Crac’h River once had several natural beds of flat oysters, including the “Cuhan bed.” The oyster beds on Cuhan Island were among the first in Brittany’s modern oyster industry, established in the second half of the 19th century. Source: Musée de Bretagne, Rennes.