The Flapper in Her Nuisette, Ca 1929 French Woman Artist Oil on Canvas

Woman painters of the early 20th Century often had fascinating lives. By definition, were fearless, unconventional, adventurous. They needed to be, to carve out their place in a still male-dominated world. Alice Kohn (born 1902) is a case in point.

Born into a provincial middle class Jewish family, Alice painted and exhibited while moonlighting as an actress and singer on stage and on the radio, modelled for Picasso and fought undercover in the Resistance durning WW2!

Alice initially studied with fellow woman artist Madeleine Plantais before enrolling at the École des Beaux-Arts from Lyon. She exhibited as early as 1926 at the Salon de Sud Est as well as at the Galerie Pouillé-Lecoutre and Galerie des Archers.

She became friends with René Dumas, Pierre Pelloux, Antoine Chartres, and Henri Vieilly with whom she created the group “Les Nouveaux”: the New Ones!

“Les Nouveaux” first exhibited together in 1931 at the Saint-Pierre gallery. Critics greatly praised Kohn’s works shown at the 1931 Salon d’Automne in Paris as well as the Salon du Sud Est. The Galerie Saint-Pierre in Lyon organised her first solo exhibition in 1933.

must have been around the same age as her subject when she painted the young woman in “La Nuisette”, above. Perhaps the two of them were friends – at any rate, it is not hard to imagine a certain camaraderie, complicity or even friendship between the artist and the sitter. Her model is poised, but also very much at ease. To me, she seems to be listening: perhaps Alice is chattering away while she works. What I love about the painting is that is is not just depicting “some woman in her undergarments”:rather, it tells of female friendship and connection. Almost life sized, the anonymous girl with her haircut à la garçonne is good company and distinct presence. The painting would be wonderful in a dressing room, for example.

The picture came from an estate close to the artist, where we acquired a number of works by Alice Kohn. Please view our other listings to see them! It is unsigned. The authenticity of this work is guaranteed unconditionally, and a COA can be issued. Measuring 115 x 73 cm, the painting is presented unframed to facilitate delivery, but framing options are available upon request.

Nous parlons français, und wir sprechen auch Deutsch! Paintings may be viewed in Norwich and in Paris, as well as in London and Cambridge by appointment. Please contact us if you would like further details and images of an artwork.