Post-war Bouquet: Large Exuberant Colourful Floral Still Life, Antique French Oil on Canvas

1920 - 1940

Sold by Skippings Fine Arts

Description

Over the years, I have discovered that there really is something distinctive about floral still lives from the second half of the 1940s: they have a particular energy and an unmatched exuberance about them. They are often somewhat wild - they are about freedom, not about orderliness - colourful, life-affirming, and strong. I like them very much.

Frequently, the poverty of the materials shows. Fine art supplies were unaffordable or impossible to come by, and painters had to make do.

The ebullient (and that word suits them perfectly) flowers presented here are painted on roughly hewn jute. There is a sense of resilience, rather than of sophistication. Artist Berthe Villemant (1909-1982) was in her mid thirties when she painted this bouquet, a modern woman, with a job - she was a fabric designer in Paris, specialising in floral design. Very little else is known about her.

Measuring 65 x 54 cm, the oil is signed at the upper right, and presented in its original frame, which shows wear and repair but suits the picture well. The overall framed size is 78 x 67 cm.

Physical Dimensions

Height

65cm (25.59")

Width

54cm (21.26")

Depth

1cm (0.39")

Declaration

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

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA754117

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

“

They are often somewhat wild - they are about freedom, not about orderliness - colourful, life-affirming, and strong.

Skippings Fine Arts

I like them very much.

fig 1. Post-war bouquet: large exuberant colourful floral still life, antique French oil on canvas — fig 1. Post-war Bouquet: Large Exuberant Colourful Floral Still Life, Antique French Oil on Canvas

Frequently, the poverty of the materials shows. Fine art supplies were unaffordable or impossible to come by, and painters had to make do.

The ebullient (and that word suits them perfectly) flowers presented here are painted on roughly hewn jute. There is a sense of resilience, rather than of sophistication. Artist Berthe Villemant (1909-1982) was in her mid thirties when she painted this bouquet, a modern woman, with a job - she was a fabric designer in Paris, specialising in floral design. Very little else is known about her.

Measuring 65 x 54 cm, the oil is signed at the upper right, and presented in its original frame, which shows wear and repair but suits the picture well. The overall framed size is 78 x 67 cm.