Framed Oil Painting on Canvas by Henri Dufaux (1879-1980)

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This antique floral still life by Henri Dufaux (1879–1980) presents a generous garden bouquet arranged in a simple green vessel, … Read more This antique floral still life by Henri Dufaux (1879–1980) presents a generous garden bouquet arranged in a simple green vessel, painted with the expressive brushwork and rich, natural color for which the Swiss artist is known. Full blossoms in shades of rose, crimson, white and soft yellow emerge among loosely painted foliage, with smaller flowers scattered throughout the composition. Dufaux balances the abundance of the bouquet with a subdued interior setting, allowing the flowers to remain the focus while giving the painting remarkable depth and atmosphere.
The composition has the spontaneity of flowers gathered directly from the garden rather than formally arranged. Broad, confident strokes define the larger blooms, while touches of lighter pigment bring dimension to the white blossoms and daisies. The deeper greens and burgundy tones anchor the painting, complemented by the muted grays and earth tones of the surrounding interior. The slightly elevated viewpoint and cropped architectural elements in the background give the scene an intimate European character and add perspective beyond the still life itself.
Henri Dufaux was born in France in 1879 into an artistic Swiss family and became both a painter and an important figure in the pioneering years of European aviation. The son of artist Frédéric Dufaux, he received his artistic education in Geneva and continued his studies in Florence and Paris. He was also a pupil of Barthélemy Menn, one of the most influential Swiss painters and teachers of the 19th century. Although Henri and his brother Armand Dufaux became celebrated for their early experiments in aviation, painting remained an important part of Henri Dufaux's extraordinarily long life.
Throughout his artistic career, Dufaux painted landscapes, portraits, travel subjects and still lifes, working with an increasingly free and expressive handling of paint. His floral compositions are particularly appealing for their immediacy, color and painterly quality rather than strict academic formality. Dufaux lived to the age of 101 and died in Geneva in 1980, leaving a fascinating legacy that joins the artistic traditions of his family with the adventurous spirit of the early 20th century.
Presented in a restrained painted wood frame, this floral still life is a particularly inviting example of Dufaux's work, combining strong color, expressive brushwork and the timeless subject of freshly gathered flowers.
Circa mid-1900s
Measures 40H x 33W x 2.5D
This antique painting is available at Inessa Stewart’s Antiques, Dallas Design District, Dallas, Texas. See less