This mid-20th-century oil painting by French artist Jean Becmeur (1890-1952) depicts a female nude relaxing upon a bed while reading.
The sensuous indented form of a curved spine leads the eye downwards as she reads with a laissez-faire attitude. Seemingly nonchalant about the artist at work. It's casual, unstaged and authentic. Perhaps they know each other.
Jean Becmeur was a remarkable character and also a war hero, receiving the Croix de Guerre for an act of bravery during World War I. He signed up for the French military at around 20 years old having studied at the illustrious École des Beaux-Arts. The unimaginable horrors of war would’ve been quite a departure from the delicacy of the Belle Époque era.
In 1940, when he completed this piece, he was probably working at Le Lycée Henri-IV in Paris. He received a medal at the Salon around four years later.
Signed lower right and held within a later frame.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 32” x 27½” / 82cm x 70cm
Year of creation: c. 1940
Condition: Artwork presents well. Fine craquelure but the paint is stable. Frame with some light wear.
French artist Jean Becmeur is predominantly known as a painter of portraits, landscapes and figures. He studied at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts in Paris under Jean Dupas (1882-1964) and became a member of La Société des Artistes Français. From around the age of twenty, he served in the French military which included service during World War I. He was decorated with the Croix de Guerre for heroism. Following the war, he worked for many years as a drawing teacher in Paris and later became an honorary professor.
Learn more about Jean Becmeur 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 often restore frames rather than replace them as many are original and selected by the artists themselves.
