Yvonne Clarinval, La Vierge des Mers (The Virgin of the Seas), 1910, Mixed Media

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Yvonne clarinval (1894-1979) - the virgin of the seas - la vierge des mers (aka stella maris)
master of symbolism

… Read more Yvonne clarinval (1894-1979) - the virgin of the seas - la vierge des mers (aka stella maris)
master of symbolism

very rare symbolist artwork by french she-artist yvonne clarinval (pouilly-sur-meuse 1894 - sedan, 1979)

extremely sophisticated mixed media: the painting is watercolour, gouache, and pastel.
the frame has been realised by the artist for this painting only, and it is decorated embossed metal.

hand-signed and hand-dated in the painting "y clarinval 1910", lower left

a typical example of high-quality symbolism, far from many of the flou or blurry images of the period.
here any minimum action of the brush or pastel/pencil is intentional and meditated.

large: 585 x 420 x 30 mm

in excellent condition

yvonne clarinval hasn't been a prolific artist: while the fashions of those time made speed and ugliness prevail over quality and meditation, although very young she opted for a spiritual and mystical art, closer to pre-raphaelites and old masters, but more symbolist and ethereal.
her religious feelings, close to mysticism, made her searching for eternity and not for the ephemeral moment.
her works are extremely rare, and only in private collections. Only one of this kind, smaller and less inspired, has been auctioned by a major auctioneer. In 1920s she also made textiles, and her silks are in international museums (e.g. At metropolitan n.y.), but they are less interesting because they keep elegance in pattern but lack inspiration.
faithful to her heart, she illustrated a book only, "l'amour et l'amitié chez les saints" by female writer marguerite savigny-vesco. This piece has an attribution mark,
i am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
issues arising from misattribution See less