Georges Pacouil

About the Painting

This compelling 1960 self-portrait by Georges Pacouil offers an intimate glimpse into the artist's self-perception at age 57, during the height of his mature career. Painted with the confident brushwork and nuanced color palette that characterized his post-impressionist style, this work reveals both technical mastery and psychological depth.

Self-portraits hold a unique place in art history, serving as both artistic statement and personal document. In this work, Pacouil presents himself with the same careful attention to structure, harmony, and naturalistic observation that he brought to all his subjects—whether figures, landscapes, or still lifes. The painting is signed "Georges Pacouil 1960" in the lower left corner and presented in a carved wood Montparnasse-style frame from circa 1940-50, reflecting the artistic milieu of mid-century Paris.

Artistic Context

By 1960, Pacouil had established himself as a respected figure in French post-impressionist circles, having exhibited regularly at the Salon d'Automne since 1934 and accumulated numerous prestigious awards. This self-portrait was created during a period when he was actively teaching and painting, balancing traditional academic techniques with modernist sensibilities—a hallmark of his approach that drew comparisons to André Dunoyer de Segonzac and Amédée de La Patellière.

Artist Background

Born in Paris on March 24, 1903 and died in Neuilly-sur-Seine on March 26, 1997, Georges Louis Abdon Pacouil studied at the Bernard-Palissy School under the renowned pointillist painter Hippolyte Petitjean. As a neorealist and post-impressionist, Pacouil emphasized the harmony and structure inherent in nature across all his subjects.

Pacouil began his artistic career as a theater decorator (1920–1934) before dedicating himself fully to painting and teaching. A member of the Salon d'Automne from 1934, he exhibited in major Parisian salons and represented France in international exhibitions in San Francisco, Tunisia, and the Balkans. His contributions were celebrated with numerous awards, including the Bernheim Prize, Blumental Prize, First Prize in the Watercolor Competition of Paris (1950), Silver Medal of the French Education League (1954), Vermeil Medal of Arts-Sciences-Letters (1968), and Gold Medal of Hauts-de-Seine (1984).

Georges Pacouil's works are held in significant collections, including the National Museum of Modern Art and the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris.

Technical Details

Artist: Georges Pacouil (1903-1997)
Signed: Lower left, "Georges Pacouil 1960"
Medium: Oil on canvas
Condition: Very good condition
Dimensions: 65 x 54 cm / 25½ x 21¼ in
Frame: 80 x 69 cm / 31½ x 27¼ in, carved wood Montparnasse style (c.1940-50), very good condition
Origin: France

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