Frenchalbert Bergevin (1887-1974) Antique Still Life with Anemones, 1943 Soutine -Esque War Period Oil on Canvas

1920 - 1940

Sold by Skippings Fine Arts

Description

Having recently handled a painting by Albert Bergevin (1887 ( 1974) -visible in the "sold" section- I was so delighted to find a second work by the artist on my most recent buying trip in France.

I love it when an artist brings to life humble subjects and renders them interesting, worth contemplating - for me, that is almost the very definition of art.

My artist friend Boris Taslitzky (1911-2005) always used to say: “when I paint a flower, I paint the portrait of a flower”. And this is exactly what Bergevin does - his anemones are brimming with personality. Soutine couldn't have done it better.

This oil on canvas was painted in 1943, in the middle of the war, when art supplies were scarce or even unavailable.

So the canvas is re-used and its surface is slightly uneven. The stretcher is homemade and slightly wonky. The painting is beautiful and a real affirmation of life.

Signed and dated lower right (and again signed and dated "avril 43" on the stretcher bars, the painting measures 55 x 46 cm, in its stripped pine original frame 69 x 60 cm.

Originally from Avranches in Normandy, Bergevin exhibited in Paris at the Salon d’Automne and the Salon des Indépendants. His art nouveau poster “Avranches Baie Mont St Michel” (to encourage tourism in the region) is highly prized at poster auctions all over the world, and widely reproduced.

Physical Dimensions

Height

55cm (21.65")

Width

46cm (18.11")

Depth

1cm (0.39")

Declaration

Skippings Fine Arts has dated this piece to the 1940s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA530459

Dealers Notes

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.

Description

Having recently handled a painting by Albert Bergevin (1887 ( 1974) -visible in the "sold" section- I was so delighted to find a second work by the artist on my most recent buying trip in France.

“

I love it when an artist brings to life humble subjects and renders them interesting, worth contemplating - for me, that is almost the very definition of art.

Skippings Fine Arts

fig 1. FrenchAlbert Bergevin (1887-1974) antique Still life with Anemones, 1943 Soutine -esque war period oil on canvas — fig 1. Frenchalbert Bergevin (1887-1974) Antique Still Life with Anemones, 1943 Soutine -Esque War Period Oil on Canvas

My artist friend Boris Taslitzky (1911-2005) always used to say: “when I paint a flower, I paint the portrait of a flower”. And this is exactly what Bergevin does - his anemones are brimming with personality. Soutine couldn't have done it better.

fig 2. FrenchAlbert Bergevin (1887-1974) antique Still life with Anemones, 1943 Soutine -esque war period oil on canvas — fig 2. Frenchalbert Bergevin (1887-1974) Antique Still Life with Anemones, 1943 Soutine -Esque War Period Oil on Canvas

This oil on canvas was painted in 1943, in the middle of the war, when art supplies were scarce or even unavailable.

So the canvas is re-used and its surface is slightly uneven. The stretcher is homemade and slightly wonky. The painting is beautiful and a real affirmation of life.

fig 3. FrenchAlbert Bergevin (1887-1974) antique Still life with Anemones, 1943 Soutine -esque war period oil on canvas — fig 3. Frenchalbert Bergevin (1887-1974) Antique Still Life with Anemones, 1943 Soutine -Esque War Period Oil on Canvas

Signed and dated lower right (and again signed and dated "avril 43" on the stretcher bars, the painting measures 55 x 46 cm, in its stripped pine original frame 69 x 60 cm.

Originally from Avranches in Normandy, Bergevin exhibited in Paris at the Salon d’Automne and the Salon des Indépendants. His art nouveau poster “Avranches Baie Mont St Michel” (to encourage tourism in the region) is highly prized at poster auctions all over the world, and widely reproduced.