Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1940s.
Buoyant and playful, she sits casually on a chaise lounge. Her effervescent smile reflected in a mirror. She could be an actress looking out from the screen - portrayed as we see her.
It’s an unusual and rather witty piece, full of life and joviality. An inscription in the lower right translates as ‘For Frances, from your _(illegible)_ and friend César Fernández Ardavín’, which is intriguing as Ardavín worked among numerous celebrities due to his familiarity with the film industry. Both of his brothers had connections and his son became a well-known director.
A charming piece from one friend to another.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 31½” x 37½” / 80cm x 95cm
Year of creation: c. 1940
Labels & Inscriptions: ‘For Frances, from your _(illegible)_ and friend César Fernández Ardavín’.
Provenance: Private collection, Spain.
Condition: Artwork presents well. Craquelure but the paint is stable. Frame with some light wear.
His family has close ties with the film industry as his brother, Luis, was a writer and another brother, Eusebio, was a multi-disciplinarian in cinematographic disciplines. César preferred to pursue a career in design and painting but did produce various film posters. He also worked at his father’s lithographic studio.
His son, César Fernández-Ardavín Ruiz, became a director. An example of his work is held in The Frick Collection, New York.
Learn more about César Fernández Ardavín in our directory.
Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1940s.
Exquisite antique paintings that capture the imagination.
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Brave Fine Art Profile Page
César Fernández Ardavín, Portrait of a Girl Before a Mirror - Oil Painting
