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Initials JGR/S/BHH/PC



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE OFFICIAL CEREMONY OF HOMAGE TO GEORGE BRAQUE, THE FRENCH PAINTER - LAST NIGHT'S CEREMONY WAS HELD BEFORE THE FLOODLIT LOUVRE MUSEUM WHERE THERE HAD BEEN AN EXHIBITION OF HIS WORKS IN HIS OWN LIFETIME.

M. MALRAUX, THE CULTURAL MINISTER, WHO HAD ARRANGED THE EXHIBITION, GAVE A FUNERAL ORATION AND CALLED BRAQUE ONE OF THE GREATEST ARTISTS OF THIS CENTURY.

AN IMPRESSIVE SPECTACLE IN THE NIGHT RAIN AND FLAMING TORCHES, THE CEREMONY, IN HIS WORDS, MADE UP FOR THE SHABBY FUNERALS GIVEN TO MANY OF FRANCE'S PAINTERS, LIKE MODIGLIANI AND VAN GOGH.

THE ARTIST'S WIDOW IN LONG MOURNING VEIL SAT AT THE CENTRE OF THE CEREMONY. 3,000 PEOPLE DEFIED THE DOWN-POUR TO ATTEND.

BRAQUE WHO WAS 81 WAS BURIED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE NORMANDY SEASIDE VILLAGE OF VARANGEVILLE WHERE HE HAD DESIGNED THE STAINED-GLASS WINDOW OF THE LOCAL CHURCH.