Adolphe-Jules Pouessel

About the Painting

This still life oil painting by French academic painter Adolphe-Jules Pouessel (1877-1954), created in 1942, presents an interior composition centered around a statue of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, the early Christian martyr renowned for her intellect and spiritual strength. She is depicted with her traditional attributes: a sword, symbol of her martyrdom, and a book, representing divine wisdom.

Arranged around the sculpture are several antique leather-bound books, an illuminated folio page, and a small bronze bust—likely a representation of a humanist or scholar. The scene unfolds atop a warm-toned cloth, with a neutral drapery and golden frame forming the contemplative backdrop. The composition evokes a balance between devotion and learning through this symbolic tableau.

Pouessel's brushwork is precise and restrained, in keeping with the late academic tradition, and his earthy palette—rich in ochres, umbers, and soft grays—enhances the spiritual solemnity of the subject. The light source, softly filtered, creates subtle highlights across surfaces of leather, paper, and bronze, imbuing the composition with a quiet sense of reverence.

Presented at the Salon des Artistes Français in 1942, the painting exemplifies Pouessel's mature style, steeped in classical training and symbolic introspection. Created during a time of cultural upheaval in France, it represents the enduring power of tradition, faith, and intellectual heritage during the Second World War.

About the Artist

Adolphe-Jules Pouessel (1877-1954) was a French painter active during the first half of the 20th century, known for his still lifes, interior scenes, and religious compositions marked by symbolic sensitivity. Born in 1877, he was trained in the French academic tradition and regularly participated in official exhibitions, most notably the Salon des Artistes Français, where he exhibited works between the 1920s and 1940s.

His painting is characterized by a restrained palette, refined detail, and introspective atmosphere, echoing the style of artists such as Jean-Paul Laurens and Édouard Debat-Ponsan. In his still lifes, he often incorporated symbols of faith, knowledge, and history—including statues of saints, illuminated manuscripts, and liturgical objects—creating compositions with dense and evocative visual narratives.

Pouessel's work reflects the continuation of French academic painting into the mid-20th century, maintaining traditional techniques and spiritual themes even as modernist movements dominated the broader art world. His participation in the Salon des Artistes Français connected him to a long tradition of official French art, dating back to the 17th century.

Pouessel died in Paris in 1954, leaving behind a body of work that offers insight into a time when tradition and spirituality still held a central place in certain strands of artistic practice. His paintings are appreciated by collectors of 20th-century French academic art and regional museums specializing in figurative painting.

Technical Details

Artist: Adolphe-Jules Pouessel (1877-1954)
Signed: Lower left corner
Date: 1942
Exhibition: Salon des Artistes Français, 1942
Medium: Oil on canvas
Condition: Very good condition
Dimensions: 65 x 50 cm / 25½ x 19¾ in
Frame: Unframed
Origin: France

A symbolic example of French academic still life painting from the Second World War period.