BENJAMIN-CONSTANT (1845-1902) Bust portrait of Eugène Hénard (1849-1923), 18[7?]2 Oil on canvas Signed, dedicated 'À mon ami E. Hénard' and dated '18[7?]2' lower centre (Re-tooled and small superficial scratches) Oil on lined canvas, signed, dedicated 'À mon ami E. Hénard' and dated '18[7?]2' lower middle 55,5 x 46,5 cm - 21 7/8 x 18 1/4 in. Provenance Private collection, France Note Eugène Hénard, a French architect and civil engineer who turned to urban planning as both a realist and a pioneer, was born on 22 October 1849 in Paris and played an important role in the preparations for the 1889 Universal Exhibition: Although his project for a continuous electric train, which was far ahead of its time, was not accepted, he was appointed by Alphand, director of the Exhibition, to supervise the construction of the Galerie des Machines by Dutert and Contamin; he published a description of the building and the progress of the work, an invaluable document for understanding this essential work. In 1894, with a view to the 1900 Exhibition, he drew up a development and major works project with Girault and Paulin, which was awarded a prize, then called into question and finally adopted after a vigorous campaign by Hénard. He was responsible for the construction of the Grand and Petit Palais, the opening of Avenue Alexandre-III and the magnificent view of the Invalides. Following in Haussmann's footsteps, he also showed a concern for preserving sites, trees and open spaces: he helped to save the esplanade des Invalides and later the perspective of the Pont-Neuf, threatened by the creation of a Pont de la Monnaie (planned since Haussmann). His "Études sur les transformations de Paris" (1903-1909) had a major impact: they offered a lucid analysis of the present and future situation (lack of green spaces, traffic problems, foreseeable congestion) and proposed a green belt punctuated by twelve peripheral parks on the "zone". Hénard's prediction of the future of the motor car was remarkable, and went hand in hand with a search for classic solutions (large, widened thoroughfares) or revolutionary ones (three-level crossroads with differentiated traffic flow, artificial floors for pavements and pavements above the natural ground with accessible drains in between, multi-storey streets and differentiated traffic flow in new towns). Hénard showed a great interest in livening up avenues with original building layouts (stepped houses). His design was entirely focused on opening up the city to motor vehicles at the expense of other urban functions, but the scientific study was remarkable; it was accompanied by a prophetic vision and key ideas later taken up by Le Corbusier and rationalist urbanism.