This early 20th-century oil painting by Dutch artist Jean Laudy (1877-1956) depicts a still life with white roses.
Laudy’s still lifes capture a snapshot, a blur of soft petals emerging randomly from daubed ceramics. He painted joy, without overthinking each mark, thus retaining a sense of energy and spirit.
During the early 20th century, the critics were glowing.
“A wonderful gift of harmony and exceedingly clever technique.”
The Connoisseur, 1921.
“Jean Laudy’s exhibition is brilliant, dazzling, blinding. It is easy to understand that the artist creates with joy and that he must create, that he obeys an imperative need.”
Magazine printed in Brussels, 1921
“full of a vitality, which is not allowed to run riot. There are many good things, but not many so brilliant as these.”
Yorkshire Post, 1930
Here, in this work from around 1925, the roses appear wild as if half a bush has been snipped and planted in a vase. It’s buoyant, natural and untamed, much like the hand of this well-loved Dutchman.
Signed and held in a later frame.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 43” x 32” /109cm x 82cm
Year of creation: c. 1925
Condition: Artwork presents well. Frame with some light wear.
Artist’s auction maximum: £12,100
Jean Laudy studied at the Academies in Brussels and Antwerp. He achieved various high-profile commissions including for King Albert I and King Leopold III of Belgium. Today, his works are held in various public collections including at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts.
Learn more about Jean Laudy in our directory.
We care profoundly about our role as custodians and every piece in the collection has been assessed by our conservator. When required, we undertake professional restoration carefully using reversible techniques and adopt a light touch to retain the aged charm of each work. We also restore frames rather than replace them as many are original and selected by the artists themselves.
