Items Similar to Reclining Cat Oil on Canvas Signed by Charles Kiffer - Cat Portrait - 1950s
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 12
Reclining Cat Oil on Canvas Signed by Charles Kiffer - Cat Portrait - 1950s
$2,034.05
£1,521.61
€1,697
CA$2,800.46
A$3,064.77
CHF 1,619.46
MX$36,580.01
NOK 20,666.32
SEK 18,901.04
DKK 12,929.22
About the Item
Reclining Cat - Oil on Canvas Signed by Charles Kiffer - Cat Portrait - 1950s
Charles Kiffer (1902–1992) was a French painter, poster artist, and lithographer trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris (see biography below).
He became widely known for his iconic portraits of Joséphine Baker, Édith Piaf, Charles Trenet, and performers from the worlds of theater, music-hall, and circus.
His works were showcased at prominent venues such as the Salon des Indépendants, the Salon d'Automne, and the Salon des Tuileries in Paris.
While his lithographs and posters are well documented, his easel paintings are far rarer and highly sought after today.
This oil on canvas depicts a reclining black-and-white cat, an intimate and endearing subject. The work is signed lower right and bears a handwritten dedication “Pour Madeleine et Mouchette”, with Mouchette referring to the cat portrayed. On the reverse side of the panel, there is an additional pencil drawing of the same animal, adding both authenticity and collector’s appeal.
The painting remains in excellent condition and is presented in an elegant floater frame in black and gilt ash.
Based on style and facture, the work can be confidently dated to the 1950s–1960s, a period when Kiffer increasingly moved beyond poster art toward more personal and intimate subjects.
Artist: Charles Kiffer (1902–1992)
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions Framed : 36cm width x 27cm height x 3,5cm depth
Signature: Signed lower right
Inscription: Dedication “Pour Madeleine et Mouchette”
Reverse: Pencil drawing of a cat
Frame: Black and gilt ash floater frame
Condition: Excellent
Date : 1950s
BIOGRAPHY / Charles Kiffer (1902–1992) :
Early Life and Education
Charles François Kiffer was born on June 8, 1902, in Paris into an artistic family. His mother was a piano teacher, and his father was a tailor who worked for many actors. This exposure to the theatrical world from a young age influenced his artistic direction. In 1918, he enrolled at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he studied under the guidance of painter Fernand Cormon.
Artistic Career
Kiffer's multifaceted career encompassed painting, drawing, sculpture, engraving, and poster design. He gained recognition for his expressive portraits and figures, often depicting performers from the worlds of theater, music-hall, and circus. His works were showcased at prominent venues such as the Salon des Indépendants, the Salon d'Automne, and the Salon des Tuileries in Paris.
In the 1920s, Kiffer began creating posters for renowned French entertainers. Notably, he designed the iconic 1925 poster for Maurice Chevalier, capturing the essence of the performer with minimalistic yet expressive features. He continued this collaboration with Chevalier in the late 1930s, producing screenprints that are now considered classics of Art Deco poster design.
Beyond Chevalier, Kiffer illustrated posters for other stars like Charles Trenet, Edith Piaf, Yves Montand, and Gaby Morlay. His works often featured bold colors and stylized forms, reflecting the vibrant energy of the performers.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1924, Kiffer married Suzanne Kiffer-Porte, and together they had a daughter, Marie-Thérèse Kiffer-Porte. Throughout his career, Kiffer maintained close relationships with his subjects, including Edith Piaf, capturing their likenesses with sensitivity and insight. He continued to work from his studio on Île Saint-Louis in Paris, where he welcomed friends and contemporary artists.
Charles Kiffer passed away on January 20, 1992, in Paris. His works remain celebrated for their distinctive style and contribution to French visual culture.
- Creator:Charles Kiffer (Artist)
- Similar to:Léonard Tsuguharu Foujita (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 10.63 in (27 cm)Width: 14.18 in (36 cm)Depth: 1.38 in (3.5 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:ROUEN, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU9230246912522
Charles Kiffer
Charles Kiffer, born in France, was well known for his figures, paintings, prints, posters, almost all devoted to theater, music hall and circus. From 1918, he attended the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. In 1923, he created, for his pleasure, the portrait of Maurice Chevalier who entrusted him with the production of posters for his following shows in 1926 and 1927. From then on, he became the regular poster artist for the singer and created 13 posters for him. He illustrated posters for many stars like Georges Guétary (1933), Charles Trénet, Edith Piaf (1936), Yves Montand, Rina Ketty, Gaby Morlay in 1939. Kiffer also created many sets and stage curtains for the Casino de Paris. More than 65 years after his first poster, Kiffer still works in his studio on the Ile Saint-Louis in Paris, where he likes to entertain his friends and the great contemporary artists.
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2015
1stDibs seller since 2023
45 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: ROUEN, France
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllNaïve Art Gouache Painting, Female Portrait - Picasso Tribute, Signed Godin 1960
By Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Naïve Art Gouache Painting, Female Portrait - Picasso Tribute, Signed Godin 1960
Female portrait in shades of blue and red.
Signed "Godin 60" at the bottom right corner.
Most Prob...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Modern Oil Painting - Portrait of a Woman with Flowers by Monique ROBERT - 1980s
By Henri Matisse, Kees van Dongen
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Modern Oil Painting - Portrait of a Woman with Flowers by Monique ROBERT - 1980s
Oil painting on canvas by french artist Monique ROBERT.
Signed and framed .
Beautiful signed paint...
Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Modern Gouache Painting, Female Nude on Canvas, France, 1970s.
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Modern Gouache Painting, Female Nude on Canvas, France, 1970s.
Beautiful gouache painting on linen-covered cardboard.
Depicts a reclining nude woman skillfully rendered with soft, ...
Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Linen, Acrylic, Paint
$593 Sale Price
50% Off
1960s Still Life Oil Painting with Bottle, Cup, and Teapot, French Mid-Century
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
1960s Still Life Oil Painting with Bottle, Cup, and Teapot, French Mid-Century
Oil on board framed in gilded and green wooden frame.
Great composition representing a bottle of wine...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Modern Paintings
Materials
Giltwood, Paint
Modern Oil Painting, Urban Landscape by Joseph RAUMANN, France 1960s
By Eugène Louis Boudin
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Modern Oil Painting, Urban Landscape by Joseph RAUMANN, France 1960s.
Picturesque scene of a French village, with its typical buildings and street corners.
Oil on canvas with very ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Abstract Contemporary Painting - Mixed Media Art - Signed - France 1990s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Abstract Contemporary Painting - Mixed Media Art - Signed - France 1990s
This abstract painting is composed of various materials (mixed-media artwork).
The background consists of ...
Category
Late 20th Century French Minimalist Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Jute, Wood, Paint, Paper
You May Also Like
"Le Chat III" Oil Painting 14" x 20" inch (circa 1950) by Zohra Efflatoun
By Zohra Efflatoun
Located in Culver City, CA
"Le Chat III" Oil Painting 14" x 20" inch (circa 1950) by Zohra Efflatoun
Not signed
Zohra Efflatoun came from an artistic family. Her half-sister Inji was a renowned painter from ...
Category
20th Century Post-War Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Huge vintage midcentury painting of a Persian cat, by Thomas Lee, USA 1970s
Located in Hastings, GB
An enormous mid century painting of a Persian cat, signed by Thomas Lee, USA 1970s. Great decorative piece. Heavily textured paint around the cat's head.
Some age-related wear to the...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Softwood
Vintage American Folk Art Painting of a Cat, Oil on Wood
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Charming American Folk Art oil painting on wood features orange cat sitting next to fish bowl with gold fish. The painting is executed ...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Paintings
Materials
Wood
Antique Naive Folk Art Cat Portrait, Original Oil On Canvas Painting, 19th C.
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE ORIGINAL OIL PAINTING
A charming study of a fluffy cat curled up and looking straight at you.
Painted in the naive style.
Signed to the lower right ‘Thomson’.
Probably ...
Category
Antique 19th Century British Folk Art Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
"Le Chat I" Oil Painting 20" x 19" inch (1959) by Zohra Efflatoun
By Zohra Efflatoun
Located in Culver City, CA
"Le Chat I" Oil Painting 20" x 19" inch (1959) by Zohra Efflatoun
signed & dated
Zohra Efflatoun came from an artistic family. Her half-sister Inji w...
Category
20th Century Post-War Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Cardboard
Mid-Century Modern Rex Clawson Abstract Cat Oil Painting, Signed, 1956
By Rex Clawson
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern Rex Clawson Abstract Cat Oil Painting, Signed 1956
Offered for sale is an encaustic and oil abstract oil painting of a cat on board by renowned American artist Rex Clawson (1929-2007). The painting is presented in the original period frame floating on fabric under glass. We believe that this painting might indeed be the cat painting that was featured in the 1956 Vogue Magazine article.
The following biography has been provided by Rex Clawson. The Artist Rex Martin...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paint, Paper
$2,000 Sale Price
42% Off