Claire Demartinécourt

About the Pastel

This original pastel painting by French artist Claire Demartinécourt (1896-1981) captures a vibrant floral still life in a rustic terracotta vase. Created during the 1950s, the work showcases Demartinécourt's masterful pastel technique and her signature approach to color composition that made her a prominent exhibitor at the Salon des Indépendants.

A luminous bouquet of orange, mauve, and white flowers creates a harmonious celebration of mid-century French artistic style. Demartinécourt's expert pastel application produces rich, velvety textures with subtle color transitions that bring exceptional depth to the composition. The warm orange blooms contrast beautifully against cool lavender and white flowers, anchored by lush green foliage. The atmospheric background in soft blues and greens creates spatial depth while maintaining focus on the vibrant bouquet.

Her confident handling of light and shadow—from golden yellow flower centers to delicate vase shadows—demonstrates the technical excellence that established her reputation at Paris's prestigious Salon des Indépendants. This composition exemplifies classical French still life traditions while embodying the fresh, modern aesthetic of post-war European art.

About the Artist

Claire Demartinécourt-Modret (1896-1981) was a distinguished French painter renowned for her floral still lifes and landscape paintings. Born in Melun, France, she trained at the National School of Fine Arts in Dijon, developing the refined technique that would define her career.

From 1929 onwards, Demartinécourt regularly exhibited at the prestigious Salon des Indépendants in Paris, establishing herself among the leading independent French artists of the 20th century. Her works, signed either "Demartinécourt" or "Demartinécourt-Modret," are recognized for their warmth, technical mastery, and distinctive approach to traditional French subjects. She continued creating acclaimed artwork until her death in 1981 in Is-sur-Tille, France.

This pastel represents an important period in French art history. While abstract expressionism dominated international markets during the 1950s, artists like Demartinécourt preserved and revitalized France's celebrated still life tradition, creating works that bridge pre-war academic excellence with contemporary mid-century aesthetics.

Technical Details

Artist: Claire Demartinécourt (1896-1981)
Unsigned
Medium: Pastel on paper
Condition: Very good condition
Dimensions: 32 x 26 cm / 11½ x 10½ in
Frame: 42.5 x 37.5 cm / 16¾ x 14¾ in, Montparnasse-style with hand-carved wood and weathered patina, very good condition
Origin: France

A vibrant example of mid-century French still life by this accomplished Salon des Indépendants exhibitor.