Jan Balet, Mariage, Oil on Canvas & Cardboard, Framed

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Description

The German/American born artist was proficient with both brush and pen. Often with a sense of whimsy and always with … Read more The German/American born artist was proficient with both brush and pen. Often with a sense of whimsy and always with a discerning eye and deft hand, Balet created images that continue to elevate the spirit and challenge the imagination.
Jean Balet in July 1913 in Bremen and died in January 2009 in Estavayer-le-Lac in Switzerland, was a German-American painter, graphic designer and illustrator. Influenced by the naive style, he worked notably as a graphic designer and illustrator of children's books. In addition, he painted pictures in the naive style. Described as a “naïve” painter, his works feature deadpan humor and a refreshing, candid and satirical view of life.

Balet was the son of German-Dutch parents. After his parents divorced in 1916, he moved with his mother to Langenargen, his mother's hometown, on Lake Constance, Germany. His grandfather was the region's chief legal advisor, Eduard Eggert, and his uncle was the famous painter and illustrator Benno Eggert. Many well-known figures of the time were friends of his grandfather, including the painters Hans Purrmann, Karl Caspar, Maria Caspar-Filser (his mother's cousin), the writer Martin Andersen Nexo, the Swabian poet Wilhelm Schussen as well as as the poet and writer Oskar Wöhrle, godfather of Balet. In 1920 his grandfather sold the house in Langenargen and the family moved to Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance.

In 1920, Balet entered school. Due to his mother and grandmother's difficulties in raising him after the death of his grandfather, Balet was sent in 1926 to a boarding school in Germany, the Schloss Salem school. In 1927, Balet moved to the Hansa Home, a strictly Catholic institution in Munich, and attended high school. To begin an apprenticeship in a painting studio, Balet left school before the end of sixth grade. He ends his apprenticeship before the end of the second year.

In 1929, at the age of 17, he moved to Berlin at the invitation of his father and studied drawing at the Higher School of Arts and Crafts. A year later, he went to live with his mother and grandmother in Munich. Balet continued his studies at the Munich Higher School of Arts, but was dismissed in 1932. He continued his studies with Professor Ege, at a private commercial art school. During this period he also worked in a lithography institute and for the Wallach art gallery. Balet rented his first small studio at the age of nineteen, where he made and sold hand-colored Bavarian woodcuts. In 1934 he passed the entrance exam to the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich and continued his studies with Olaf Gulbransson\.\.




The work represented here is a painting that stands out in the naive movement. It is refined and evocative, depicting a wedding couple seated with dignity and calm on the edge of a well-ordered bed. The scene gives off an atmosphere that is both solemn and poetic which challenges the observer with its simplicity and depth. In the foreground, the bride and groom are dressed in the traditional way. The bride, resplendent in her immaculate white dress and delicately placed veil, gracefully holds a bouquet of blue flowers. His serene expression reinforces the impression of purity and innocence. Next to her, the groom, in his dark suit, sports a neat mustache and a calm attitude, symbolizing solidity and stability. The background of the painting is just as significant. The richly textured green wall is adorned with a muted floral pattern, adding a touch of vintage to the overall look. Two lamps with identical shades, symmetrically placed on the bedside tables on either side of the bed, diffuse a soft and warm light, creating an intimate and romantic atmosphere. The bed, symbol of the couple's union and future life together, is impeccably made and becomes the center of this harmonious composition.
A painting hanging on the wall brings an additional dimension to the scene. It depicts an imposing elk in a snowy landscape, a symbol of strength and majesty, perhaps a nod to the qualities that the couple intends to embody in their union. The red rug adorning the floor with detailed designs adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the room. This artistic work is distinguished by its perfect balance of tradition and intimacy, its thoughtful composition and its minute details that captivate the eye and tell, in a quiet but eloquent way, the story of a union full of promise and depth. Original frame
Work on canvas cardboard
Black wooden frame
31 x 41 x 3.5 cm
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