Oil on canvas

Signed lower right: ‘A. Derain’

Circa 1935

Dimensions :  

Sight:    Height: 11 ½ in.    Width: 10 in.

Frame: Height: 16 ¾ in.     Width: 15 ½ in. 

 

 

Remarks:

André Derain starts painting portraits, and more specifically portraits of women quite soon in his career. This genre can be found throughout his work, always declined and reinvented. This very portrait, of small dimensions, conveys a great impression of intimacy, and by looking away, the model sparks the spectator’s interest. During the 1930’s, Derain strives to suggest rather than detail reality. It is captured not for its objectivity bur for its sensitivity, which led to being designated as ‘magic realism’. In this composition, closely framed around the face and the upper part of the model’s shoulders, the artist has reduced the colour range. Furthermore, he creates a play on the strong contrast between the luminosity of the face, gently framed with locks of hair, and the dark background. Those elements combined with the swift and dynamic touch truly bring the painting to life.

---

Enquire

Price on request

---