A wonderful portrait of Lucienne Denis wearing a red and black dress while sitting in an armchair with floral upholstery. We acquired the painting from a chateau in eastern France.

The artist, Pierre Deval (1897-1993), was highly regarded during his lifetime and worked within the circle of Henri Matisse, Albert Marquet and writer, André Breton. He was a particularly strong colourist and known for his sensitive portrayals of women. During the 1920s and 1930s, he lived on the Côte d'Azur and his house became a meeting place for Provence-based creatives. And in around 1926, he moved to the French capital and worked from the studio at 19 quai St. Michel, which Matisse had just vacated.

His work was shown at several prominent exhibitions including at the salon in Lyon, various Parisian galleries and the Venice Biennale.

The painting is signed in the lower right.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 29” x 36” / 73cm x 92cm
Year of creation: 1925
Provenance: France
Condition: Overall very presentable.
Artist’s auction highlight: £17,548 achieved for ‘Jeune fille sommeillant’ at an auction in 2004.