Paul Mathey, Retour de chasse, Oil on Wood, Framed

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Albert Mathey is the son of Charles and Elisa Beaujon. Orphaned at 14, he was taken in … Read more Monogrammed work PM

Albert Mathey is the son of Charles and Elisa Beaujon. Orphaned at 14, he was taken in by an uncle and spent his childhood in New York. In 1931, he married Claire-Lise Monnier, a painter like him. They have exhibited together several times. Between 1905 and 1910, he took evening classes at the Art Student's League in New York. From 1910 to 1916, he attended the School of Fine Arts in Geneva and was a pupil of Barthélemy Menn. During this period, he received several awards and mentions. In 1916-1917, he worked with Ferdinand Hodler. In 1918, he became a member of the Society of Swiss Painters, Sculptors and Architects (he participated in all of its exhibitions until 1967) and of the Gottfried Keller Foundation (1954-1961). He mainly painted landscapes and still lifes. He also made some theater sets in Geneva. In 1967, he became a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters. A large part of his works can be found at the Monnier Foundation in Cartigny.

This captivating work presents a striking still life, where two defeated birds rest on an undefined surface. The artist uses vigorous brushstrokes and a muted color palette, dominated by earthy hues and shades of gray, to evoke an atmosphere that is both austere and contemplative. The bodies of the birds, although inert, seem to overflow with a certain vitality through the dynamic texture of the painting. Shades of white blend harmoniously with dark shadows, emphasizing the finesse of the plumage and the contrast with the background. Next to the birds, some rudimentarily painted potatoes add a dimension of rusticity to the scene, reinforcing the impression of desolation. This painting stands out for its ability to capture a scene usually overlooked, transforming it into a subject worthy of reflection. The artist excels at making the tension between life and death palpable, transforming a trivial scene into a meditation on the fragility of existence. The composition, although minimalist, is powerfully evocative, highlighting the artist's talent for transcending the everyday through painting. This piece has an attribution mark,
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