Yvonne Mondin

About the Portrait

This circa 1930 expressionist portrait depicts a young woman with wavy blonde hair and red lips, characteristic of interwar period portraiture. The subject wears a crisp white buttoned shirt beneath a vibrant multicolored striped vest featuring burgundy, golden yellow, and emerald green tones. The composition demonstrates Mondin's bold approach to color and form during the height of European expressionism.

Mondin's expressionist technique is evident in the loose, confident brushstrokes that create texture and movement throughout the composition. The visible brushwork adds depth and vitality to the portrait, a hallmark of European expressionist art from this period. The background features a dramatic chromatic division with intense crimson reds on the left transitioning to deep cobalt blues on the right, framing and emphasizing the subject's face.

Signed by the artist, this oil on canvas is presented in a gold frame with classical stepped moldings and remains in very good condition. The work represents Mondin's mature style during the 1930s, when she was an active exhibitor at the Salon des Tuileries and Salon des Indépendants.

About the Artist

Marie Yvonne Mondin (1898-1967) was a French painter and printmaker who became a prominent figure in the Parisian art scene of the early-to-mid 20th century. Born in 1898, she established herself as a versatile artist working across multiple mediums and artistic genres throughout her career.

Based in the bohemian quarter of Montparnasse, the heart of Paris's artistic community, Mondin immersed herself in the city's dynamic cultural landscape. From 1924 to 1960, she was a regular exhibitor at two of France's most prestigious art venues: the Salon des Tuileries and the Salon des Indépendants. These exhibitions provided her with significant exposure and established her reputation within French artistic circles.

Mondin's artistic repertoire encompassed landscapes, still lifes, and portraits, each demonstrating emotional intensity and broad stylistic range. Her work reflects the influence of European expressionism, characterized by bold color choices, visible brushwork, and psychological depth in portraiture.

A significant aspect of Mondin's artistic legacy includes her collaborative work with her husband, Swiss artist Kurt Oskar Manz. Together, they created lithographs and engravings that combined their unique artistic perspectives. This partnership enriched her artistic output and demonstrated her mastery of printmaking techniques alongside her painting practice.

Marie Yvonne Mondin's four-decade career, spanning from the 1920s through the 1960s, represents an important contribution to mid-20th century French art. Her works continue to be recognized for their technical skill, emotional depth, and distinctive approach to capturing both intimate moments and broader artistic themes. She passed away in 1967, leaving behind a substantial body of work that reflects the evolution of European art through some of its most transformative decades.

Technical Details

Artist: Yvonne Mondin (1898-1967)
Signed: Yes
Date: c.1930
Medium: Oil on canvas
Condition: Very good condition
Dimensions: 55 x 46 cm / 21¾ x 18 in
Frame: 69 x 60 cm / 27 x 23½ in, gold with stepped moldings, very good condition
Origin: France

An expressionist portrait by a Montparnasse artist and Salon des Indépendants exhibitor.