Cubist City, Surrealist Figures Cezannian French Mid Century Modern Cityscape Oil on Board

1940 - 1960

Sold by Skippings Fine Arts

Description

An extraordinarily profound mid century modern work by Paul Mars. Mars - born by the name of Paul Mondain in Brittany in 1905 - was not only a painter, but also a highly reputed psychiatrist, ceramicist and musician. Active in the resistance movement during WW2, he was close to personalities such as the "Father of Europe" Jean Moulin, artist Max Jacob and writer Céline, who often mentioned Mars in his letters.

While Mars' art in the post war period clearly builds on Cezannian cubism. Like Max Ernst, who of course had also studied psychiatry, Mars' interest in the human condition is evident. Our cubist city is inhabited by what Mars called his "zapotecs": strangers, outsiders.

Yet Paul Mars, a natural colourist, also brings joy into into the world he creates, with nuanced, nervous; musical jazzy shades. The result is a radically modern, vibrant creation of astounding richness.

Signed lower right, the oil on hardboard presented here measures 65 x 54 cm. Well framed, the framed size is 80 x 69 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 1960s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA775806

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

An extraordinarily profound mid century modern work by Paul Mars.

“

Mars - born by the name of Paul Mondain in Brittany in 1905 - was not only a painter, but also a highly reputed psychiatrist, ceramicist and musician.

Skippings Fine Arts

Active in the resistance movement during WW2, he was close to personalities such as the "Father of Europe" Jean Moulin, artist Max Jacob and writer Céline, who often mentioned Mars in his letters.

fig 1. Cubist city, surrealist figures Cezannian French mid century modern cityscape oil on board — fig 1. Cubist City, Surrealist Figures Cezannian French Mid Century Modern Cityscape Oil on Board

While Mars' art in the post war period clearly builds on Cezannian cubism. Like Max Ernst, who of course had also studied psychiatry, Mars' interest in the human condition is evident. Our cubist city is inhabited by what Mars called his "zapotecs": strangers, outsiders.

fig 2. Cubist city, surrealist figures Cezannian French mid century modern cityscape oil on board — fig 2. Cubist City, Surrealist Figures Cezannian French Mid Century Modern Cityscape Oil on Board

Yet Paul Mars, a natural colourist, also brings joy into into the world he creates, with nuanced, nervous; musical jazzy shades. The result is a radically modern, vibrant creation of astounding richness.

Signed lower right, the oil on hardboard presented here measures 65 x 54 cm. Well framed, the framed size is 80 x 69 cm