Jean Alphonse Stival was a fascinating painter that immersed himself into the world of the French avant-garde. He lived in St Tropez alongside several other artists, including Paul Signac (1863-1935) and André Dunoyer (1884-1974). He also worked at a studio in Paris located on bis boulevard Saint-Jacques.

He was an accomplished colourist and known primarily for his vibrant still lifes, which are often filled with joy and life. But he also painted landscapes (particularly in Provence), portraits and scenes.

In a document created by his son, it explains that he was also commissioned to decorate the chapel aboard the ocean liner “Normandie”.

Stival’s work was exhibited widely during his lifetime - in France at the Salon des Indépendants, d'Automne, des Tuileries, Carnavalet museum and internationally in London, New York, Saint Petersburg, Madrid, Florence, Chicago, Los Angeles, Cairo, and Moscow.

He was resident at the Villa Medici in Rome in 1925 and was awarded the Knight of the Legion of Honour in 1937.