Oil on canvas by François Heigel, Blind woman walking through fields

François Heigel (1889-1966) Antique signed painting inspired by the work of Bruno Pilghein: Blind woman walking through fields (1889) Oil on canvas Signed lower right 88 X 63cm (75 X 50cm without frame) Regency style frame in wood and gilded stucco François Heigel was born in Montigny lez Metz, a commune in Alsace-Lorraine on September 28, 1889. He was introduced to painting by his older sister. Deafened shortly before the First World War, he devoted himself fully to his passion. His disability prevented him from being sent to the front, and he married in 1917. He then traveled to Europe, particularly the Netherlands, to perfect his technique. Heigel gave drawing lessons as a continuation of his artistic career. In 1928, he became a student of Pougeon and Barillet at the École Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris. From 1930 onwards, François Heigel exhibited regularly with the Groupement des Artistes Mosellans. François Heigel died in Metz on 18 June 1966.