Louis Valtat (French, 1869-1952) Fleurs Variées

Description:

Louis Valtat (French, 1869-1952)

Fleurs Variées
Signed "L.V." l.l., dated "1904" on a presentation plaque and on a label from the Galerie Charpentier, Paris, on the reverse.
Oil on paper mounted to panel, 16 1/4 x 20 in. (41.3 x 50.9 cm),framed.
Condition: Minor surface grime.

Provenance: By descent to the current New Jersey estate.

N.B. Valtat was born in the small Normandy town of Dieppe in 1869 into a wealthy family of ship owners. Supported by his father, an amateur landscape painter, Valtat attended the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts and the Académie Julian. As a young artist, Valtat was influenced by Gauguin's synthetist method of painting, which aspired to subjectively combine natural forms with pure lines, colors, and form. He was also inspired by Paul Signac's pointillist technique-the application of pure color dots on the canvas surface-as he had the opportunity to study with the artist when he visited him in Saint-Tropez for a summer, most probably in 1903. In many ways, Valtat had been already working in the Fauvist style before the movement burst onto the Parisian art scene with the 1905 presentation at the Salon d'Automne. His simplified forms and bold colors coincided exactly with the work of Henri Matisse, Raoul Dufy, Andre Derain, and Maurice Vlaminck. Exhibiting with these artists, Valtat was caught up in the scandal and success of the Fauvist movement. This particular painting depicts one of Valtat's favorite subjects: flowers. He was an enthusiastic gardener and often painted directly from life. Here, foliage and blossoms in yellow, pink, and blue completely cover the canvas, flattening the surface with their allover effect. There is a wonderful sense of movement and rhythm to the composition as the blooms swirl and curl. Petals and leaves have been rendered with singular brushstrokes reminiscent of pointillism, and the colors remain fearlessly strong, in the Fauvist spirit.
Estimate $50,000-75,000

No further condition issues to report. Frame dimensions: 23 1/2 x 27 1/2 in.


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

Keywords