Chalk Portrait Paintings

"Les Artistes du Cirque" is an original painting in ink, watercolor, and gouache on paper by leading Fauvist artist Kees Van Dongen, signed in the lower right. In the piece, two circus performers stand against against a wall. On the left, a pale woman in a blue leotard with red flowers on the shoulder stands with her arms crossed, looking out at the viewer. The painter fills in her tights with delicate white brushstrokes, lending them an almost iridescent appearance. Her strawberry blond hair is piled on top of her hair according to the fashion of the period. On the right, an African man stands in a vivid orange toga, looking somewhere off to the left. His feet are clad in bright white shoes...

'Parc des Buttes-Chaumont' in Paris, gouache on art paper, by Lucien Génin (circa 1930s). A charming depiction of well turned out Parisians enjoying a day at the park. Boaters, strollers and swans all co-mingle around the peaceful lake. The reflection of the rocky bluff in the water is superbly treated by Génin. It's a cheerful and uplifting image of days-gone-by in 1930s Paris. The park takes its name from the 'bare hill' (chauve-mont) that once occupied the site. It became a place where gypsum was mined, and where the limestone was quarried to be used in buildings in Paris and the United States. Worse, though, it was a site that also became a dumping ground. Luckily, during the 19th-century renovation of Paris under Napoleon III, chauve-mont was chosen as a place for a large park, as part of the emperor's fascination with endowing Paris with green spaces. The artificial lake created at that time wraps around a hilly central island. The lake attracts waterfowl and other birds and is stocked with fish. The 19th-century planners cleaned up the site and added tons of soil to fill the pits left by a limestone mining operation. Then dynamite was used to "sculpt" the site into the craggy shapes seen today, including the 50-metre-high central hill with cliffs, an interior grotto, pinnacles, and arches. Up on top, overlooking the rest of the park - and depicted in this artwork - is a small, round belvedere, based on the Roman Temple of Vesta in Italy. From that spot you can see a lovely view of Montmartre and the white cupolas of the Sacre-Coeur. The painting is in very good condition. It has been newly framed and glazed with museum-quality glass (anti-reflective and UV protection) to preserve this significant artwork for decades to come. Dimensions with frame: H 62 cm / 24.4" W 76 cm / 29.9" Dimensions without frame: H 48.5 cm / 19.1" W 63 cm / 24.8" About the Artist: After the devastation of the First World War, Lucien Génin (1894 - 1953) left his provincial home in the autumn of 1919 to find his fortune among the lively Parisians in the heart of Montmartre. Génin befriended the painters Frank Will, Gen Paul, Émile Boyer, Marcel Leprin...

A striking and very intimate work created by the renowned Fauvist artist Raoul Dufy in the early 20th century, depicting his wife in 1915. This artwork is a rare and very precious ge...

“Hon. George King, 1788” by John Russell (1745-1806) Regarded as Britain’s foremost pastellist, John Russell is well known for his portraits of the wealthy middle class. In particul...

This elegant English 19th-century portrait of a young boy dressed in a Cavalier costume, painted circa 1860, is a striking example of Victorian portraiture that seamlessly combines h...

"A Young Girl Reading a Book" is a captivating portrait by Swedish artist Gustaf Arnolds. Arnolds was a prolific painter whose roots began in Vingåker and later in Ronneby from his teenage years. His educational journey in art took him through prestigious institutions such as Althins målarskola and the Tallbergska grafikskolan in Stockholm, followed by a significant period at the Konstakademien, Stockholm, between 1904 and 1909. His talent and dedication were recognized early on, earning him a scholarship to Paris, a city that would deeply influence his artistic direction. This particular work, likely painted shortly after his return to Sweden, reveals a profound influence from his time in Paris. It portrays a young girl absorbed in reading a book, a simple yet profound subject that Arnolds imbues with a sense of tranquility and introspection. The background hints at a serene landscape, dotted with quaint houses, a nod to the everyday beauty surrounding us. What sets this piece apart is Arnolds’ technique, reminiscent of pointillism but distinguished by longer, more expressive brush strokes that add a vibrant texture and depth to the canvas. This method showcases Arnolds' unique adaptation of the techniques he encountered during his Parisian studies, particularly during his interactions with Nils Dardel...

Dutch School, Elegant Couple, Tavern Interior Scene, Cabinet Piece, A PAIR

Late 18th Century pastel portrait on paper of a bearded gentleman. Presented under glass in a fine period gilded carved wood frame. A cha...

Pieter Symonsz Potter Dutch 1600 - 1652 Soldier in an Interior Oil on oak panel, red seal to reverse Image size: 15 x 10 3/4 inches Dutch Ebonised frame Bathed in a well lit roo...

French artist Natalya Mougenot continues her ongoing series dedicated to women, where she explores resilience, transformation, and the complexity of feminine strength. Each portrait ...

'The Cabaret Dancer', crayon on art paper, by Kolomon Moore (circa 1930s). The Crazy Years (les Années Folles) of Paris in the 1920s hit an abrupt end in...

Flemish 1600s School The Card Players oil on oak panel panel dimensions 22.5 x 20 cm frame included Provenance: From a Swedish private collection. Condition: Flat and stabl...