UNEXPECTED....

I had seen this photo in a few advertising posters and from a little way off it gave me the impression that I was looking at a Georges Rouault painting. (1871-1958).
La Grèce - 1910
The name on the poster meant nothing to me. George Desvallières.
I had been to see Carambolages at the Grand Palais and  over the road another reputation is revived.

Self Portrait with red scarf 1880
George Desvallières certainly had an eventful career. Independent and from what l could make out, very much influenced by mythology or mythological creatures at the beginning. Some of them were more realistic than realistic and surprisingly so.  I can’t say that I really liked them but they do not leave me indifferent.


"David Triomphant"  by Jules-Elie Delaunay (1828-1891)

Bow Marksmen 1896 - The Combat of Hercules

Love overcoming Hercule 1894: A Terrestial turned into a strange mythological idol?

The Vine 1910

Naïde - 1914

Then he became more and more realistic - which of course is not me at all even if there are certain paintings which l will always enjoy.

Georgina Desvallières and only 16 years old!

Georges Rouault "In Tabarin" 1905




He was inspired by theatre an the music hall. When I saw this and before looking at the title, I said to myself « Wow » Then I saw it was by Goerges Rouault!



Moulin Rouge 1904

Alhambra, The Large Hat 1903-04

It was Desvallières who created the Salon D’Automne in 1903. That really did surprise me as so many of the painters l follow showed their painting during such Salons. He also exhibited the « Fauves » in 1904 and the Cubists in 1912 so surely knew Picasso.


"Joan of Arc taking the French Flag" 1914

He lost his son  and was traumatised by fighting in World War I. Desvallières actually signed up when he was 53! Afterwards he returned to his Christian faith and became an exponent of religious art, along with (the better-known) Maurice Denis. His work “evokes the violence of combat and the sorrow of mourning” with a bit of Bible, as well. Once again, l found this work unexpected because of its surrealist expression and the influences of so many movements at that period.


"The Christ with young women" - 1912

"Dead for you" 1919

Sketch for Sainte Marie, Queen of Angels, 1936

Are we all Convicts?
Georges Rouault- "Misery. Are we all convicts?" 1920-29

"Saint Joseph and Jesus as a Childn in the Jessé Tree" - 1921

Even if l will not be a follower, Desvallières was quite a discovery. Somehow though Rouault  has more to say than Desvallière - for me.

Commentaires

Lo a dit…
I like his work :-)
20/4/16 23:11
Michael Keane a dit…
Very much of that era. I particularly like the cabaret paintings - like updated Toulouse-Lautrec. Had never heard of this artist before - that's what makes your blog so interesting, Maggie.
22/4/16 05:17
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