Expressionist Figurative Scene, French Modernist School, Circa 1940s

Details

Description

A richly expressive French figurative painting dating to the 1940s, discovered in a Paris estate and executed in oil on … Read more A richly expressive French figurative painting dating to the 1940s, discovered in a Paris estate and executed in oil on board. The composition presents a group of abstracted figures rendered with fluid, gestural brushwork and confident line, characteristic of post-war French modernism and atelier-based figurative practice of the period.

The palette is warm and restrained—ochres, soft greys, muted blues, and earthen tones—allowing the figures to emerge organically from the surface. The artist employs a deliberately loose, sketch-like approach, balancing structure and spontaneity, with visible underdrawing and layered brushstrokes that lend depth and movement to the scene.

Though unsigned, the work displays a strong command of form and composition, aligning it with mid-century French figurative expressionism and studio paintings produced in Paris during and immediately following the war years.

The painting is presented in a custom Italian wood frame, finished in matte black with a refined gilt inner molding, offering a sophisticated contrast that enhances the artwork’s graphic quality while remaining timeless and architectural.

A compelling and decorative mid-century French painting with strong visual presence, ideal for collectors of European modernism or designers seeking an authentic, one-of-a-kind work with history, texture, and warmth.

Origin

France

Acquired from a Paris estate

Date

Circa 1940s

Medium

Oil on board

Frame

Custom Italian wood frame, black-stained with gilt inner edge See less