Flowers in a Coffee Pot, Abstracted Floral Still Life, Life Affirming French Modernist Oil on Canvas, Wonderful Provenance

As an antidote to the times we are living through, I want to present a series of particularly happy and life affirming paintings. I have noticed what a positive effect they have on my mood - and I hope it will be the same for you.

This one is simply an explosion of colour and joy - in a coffee pot! It is a work my André La Vernède (1899-1971) an artist from the Hérault region in the South of France.

The painting has wonderful provenance: like a small number of others presented here, it belonged to the private collection of art critic Guy Dornand, a specialist of Picasso, Utrillo and Lhote. The artwork is even dedicated to Dornand on the verso of the canvas "To Guy Dornand as a testimony of my friendship, la Vernède".

One of the major figures in art criticism post war France, Dornand worked for the Libération broadsheet and wrote innumerable books. Our painting by André La Vernède came to me from his estate.

André La Vernède had painted from childhood and throughout his youth, while at the same time taking care of the family farming business. He took the big step to move northward to Paris to be an artist full time, aged 40. One can imagine how difficult this must have been, but the decision was crowned with success: by 1945, the Salon des Indépendants decided by referendum to hold an exhibition of La Vernède's works. Exhibitions at the Galerie O.Bosc and the Galerie Norval were followed by numerous further one man shows at the prestigious Galerie Marigny and the Galerie Montparnasse. André La Vernède also exhibited in Marseille, at the Galerie Durant and the Galerie Da Silva. Obtaining numerous prizes, several works by La Vernède were acquired by the French state and by the City of Paris. Three paintings by the artist are in the Museum of Grenoble.

Our oil on canvas from Guy Dornand's collection dates from circa 1960 and measures 61 x 38 cm. Signed at the lower left, the artwork, on a stretcher of the Paris American Art Company, is dedicated and titled "Flowers in a Coffee Pot" on the verso. The overall size in a lovely heavy quality frame is 75 x 51 cm.

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.