Mid 20th Century Dimitrie De Berea Oil on Canvas Great Provenance!

Details

Description

This marvelous painting entitled "With Gwen at San Francisco" has an unusual history. The painting was a commissioned work and … Read more This marvelous painting entitled "With Gwen at San Francisco" has an unusual history. The painting was a commissioned work and for a time was owned by the Le Marchand collection. It later ended up in a New York Gallery. A member of the Berea family bought it after the artist's death in 1975, and it has remained in the family till now. Offered with the painting is the receipt from that transaction and two wonderful photos showing the artist and his model as he painted her at the Museum of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco in 1965. A nice little detail in the painting is the Golden Gate Bridge in the background to the left. Also included is a copy of a gallery pamphlet on Berea's work being offered there at the time. This painting does not appear in the pamphlet but there are two write-ups on Berea by Pierre Cabanne, a leading art historian at the time. See last three photos.
30" x 40" Oil on Canvas, signed titled and dated lower left. I will likely hire an independent carrier to deliver door to door. This may take a few days to arrange.

Dimitrie Berea (also known as Demetre de Berea) was a prominent Romanian-born painter (1908–1975) who achieved international fame as the official painter to European aristocracy, royal families, and Hollywood celebrities. Heavily associated with the School of Paris, his style blended Impressionist and Post-Impressionist influences, characterized by vibrant color palettes and expressive brushwork.


Artistic Legacy & Style
Master Mentorship: He was deeply influenced by French master Pierre Bonnard, which shaped his approach to choosing subjects, interior compositions, and luminous color choices.
Signature Subjects: His catalog consists largely of sun-drenched landscapes of the French Riviera, vibrant floral still lifes, and high-society portraits.
Global Footprint: Throughout his career, he collaborated with prestigious international art entities including Bernheim-Jeune, Durand-Ruel, and Acquavella Galleries.
High-Society Subjects
Berea's portfolio includes commissioned portraits of highly influential 20th-century figures:
Lady Sarah Chester-Beatty – His 1953 oil painting Lady Sarah Chester-Beatty at Baroda House resides in The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Lizabeth Scott – Iconic American film actress and film noir star, painted by Berea in 1946.
Eunice Gardiner – Notable Australian concert pianist, immortalized in a 1964 portrait.


️ Public Collections & Market Value
Berea's works have been offered at public auctions over 500 times. Original oil canvases frequently command thousands of dollars. Today, major permanent holdings of his work are preserved in national museums across Rome, Paris, London, Tel Aviv, and New York. He spent his final years in France and is buried in the historic Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. See less