Skippings Fine Arts has dated this piece to the 1920s.
André Maire, born in Paris in the Marais neighbourhood, had studied with André Devambez at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and also with the Nabis Émile Bernard, who was a great influence on his life and art. Bernard had settled in the town of Tonnerre in Burgundy, where Maire spent time with him from 1916 onward. His frequent visits may also have to do with the fact that André fell in love with Irene, Bernard's beautiful daughter. They married in 1922. Hence the importance of Tonnerre, of which we see here the Rue de Saint Pierre, with the church of Saint Pierre in the background.
An avid traveller and explorer, Maire lived and painted in Italy, Egypt, India, Ceylon. An exhibition of his drawings was held at the Musée des Années 30 in Boulogne-Billancourt in 2001. His work is found in the permanent collection of that museum, in the Musée du Quai Branly, the Centre Georges Pompidou/Musée National d'Art Moderne, and the Musée Guimet in Paris, the Museum of Modern Art in Troyes, and the "Piscine" Modern Art Museum of Roubaix, amongst others.
Our sepia ink drawing, on paper that has oxidised/ darkened, is signed and dated 192(?) at the upper left. Measuring 36 x 28 cm, the overall framed size is 56 x 47 cm. it is presented in its original hand carved frame by Louis Conrad which has minor wear to the gilding. The scene is situated on the back of the frame, where there is also an old customs stamp, indicating that the artwork has travelled internationally.
Skippings Fine Arts has dated this piece to the 1920s.
Modern french & continental pictures selected by a former french auction house expert
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Figures in Tonnerre French Art Deco Period Ink Drawing by André Maire
