Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 14

Insouciance, Mid 20th Century Portrait of Max Vigon friend of Jean Cocteau.

1950's

About the Item

French Mid 20th Century oil portrait of the actor Max Vigon. The sitter was a friend and collector of the works of Jean Cocteau. By repute this portrait is by Cocteau however it is not signed but there are artistic similarities to Cocteau's work. Included with the painting is a surrealist photo montage (see illustration) of Max Vigon inspired by or taken by Cocteau at the same time as this portrait. The painting is presented in plain 'caisse americaine' wood frame. Very much of its time the portrait captures the insouciance, youthful charm and allure of the subject as well as revealing the character of the artist. A study in black, white and green the artist has used strong brushstrokes and a limited colour palette to great effect, especially in the background, and has managed to in still a feeling of languid elegance to the painting. Jean Maurice Eugène Clément Cocteau, French: 5 July 1889 – 11 October 1963 was a French visual artist poet, playwright, novelist, designer, filmmaker and critic. He was one of the foremost creatives of the surrealist, avant-garde, and Dadaist movements; and one of the most influential figures in early 20th-century art as a whole. The National Observer suggested that, “of the artistic generation whose daring gave birth to Twentieth Century Art, Cocteau came closest to being a Renaissance man. In 1956 Cocteau decorated the Chapelle Saint-Pierre in Villefranche-sur-Mer with mural paintings. The following year he also decorated the marriage hall at the Hôtel de Ville in Menton. Max Vigon lived near Nice at this time, became friends with Cocteau and acquired some of his paintings for his collection. If the painting is by Cocteau it is possible that this is when it was completed. Though his body of work encompassed many different mediums, Cocteau insisted on calling himself a poet, classifying the great variety of his works – poems, novels, plays, essays, drawings, films – as "poésie", "poésie de roman", "poésie de thêatre", "poésie critique", "poésie graphique" and "poésie cinématographique". Max Vigon was a French actor with various companies including with the Comédie de l'Ouest, Centre Dramatique National and the L'Ecole National d'Art Dramatique. He lived in Nice and mixed in many of the same artistic circles as Cocteau who was at this time engaged in Various projects in the South of France. Vigon would have been in his mid to late 20's at the time this portrait was painted.
  • Creation Year:
    1950's
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 22 in (55.88 cm)Depth: 1.75 in (4.45 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Circle Of:
    Jean Cocteau (French)
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Cotignac, FR
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: LG/Vigon1stDibs: LU1430210707282
More From This SellerView All
  • Large Expressionist Portrait, Follower of Max Beckmann, Glasgow School
    Located in Cotignac, FR
    A large Glasgow School Max Beckmann influenced oil on canvas portrait by Scottish artist Stuart Mackenzie. The painting is signed and dated to the rea...
    Category

    Late 20th Century Expressionist Figurative Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • Coco the Clown in Top Hat and Bow Tie. Milan School, Italian Oil on Canvas.
    Located in Cotignac, FR
    Expressionist oil on canvas portrait of a clown by Italian artist Luciano Morterra. Signed bottom right and dated 1976 to the bottom left and presented in a period frame under glass....
    Category

    Late 20th Century Expressionist Portrait Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • Senegalese Couple. Large Colourful African Acrylic Painting on Canvas.
    Located in Cotignac, FR
    Large expressionist acrylic on canvas of a 'Senegalese Couple' by Senegalese artist Amadou Kré M'Baye. Signed bottom right and dated bottom left. An arresting and highly coloured do...
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Acrylic

  • Janine, The Muse
    By Armand Avril
    Located in Cotignac, FR
    A vibrant colourful French portrait of Janine, muse of the artist Armand Avril. Signed and dated mid right. Presented in new contemporary framing under glass. Armand Avril (1926) i...
    Category

    Late 20th Century Expressionist Figurative Paintings

    Materials

    Gouache, Paper, Oil, Acrylic

  • Expressionist Seated Figure
    Located in Cotignac, FR
    An expressionist portrait of a seated figure, acrylic on paper by French artist Alain Caucat. Signed bottom right. Also signed and dated to the back of the framing board. Presented u...
    Category

    1970s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

    Materials

    Acrylic, Paper

  • The Papakha, A Pre Revolutionary Nobleman From the Caucasus.
    Located in Cotignac, FR
    A large French oil on canvas portrait of a dignitary from the Caucasus by Théophile Paul Marie Bérengier. The painting is signed and dated b...
    Category

    1890s Post-Impressionist Portrait Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

You May Also Like
  • Christmas wish 60X90
    Located in Zofingen, AG
    In the soft embrace of oil pastels, I've lovingly woven a tapestry of pure innocence and wonder. My brushstrokes carry the gentle weight of dreams, as this young muse, with fairy win...
    Category

    2010s Expressionist Figurative Paintings

    Materials

    Oil, Canvas

  • Villa the Private Pool-original abstract figurative painting-contemporary art
    Located in London, Chelsea
    "Villa the Private Pool" by Iryna Yermolova is a captivating abstract figurative painting that transports viewers to a serene and idyllic retreat. Executed with expressive strokes us...
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • If Only I Could-original abstract figurative landscape painting-contemporary Art
    Located in London, Chelsea
    "If Only I Could" by Iryna Yermolova is a captivating abstract figurative painting that invites viewers into a world of introspection and contemplation. Executed with expressive stro...
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • ‘Young Man Seated’ Figurative Male Model Contemporary by Shana Wilson
    By Shana Wilson
    Located in Carmel, CA
    Experience the extraordinary artistic talent of Shana Wilson through her captivating painting titled "Young Male Model with Black Curls." This stunning oi...
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

    Materials

    Oil, Canvas

  • "Contemplation" Black, Pink, Red, Oil on canvas 30"x40" Original by Masri
    By Masri Hayssam
    Located in Carmel, CA
    Masri is a passionate Italian, US-based artist whose work has been exhibited in USA, the UK, Germany, Lebanon, Italy and Norway. His work is varied and known especially in Europe, an...
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • ‘Self Portrait And Red Lips’Contemporary Figurative By Betsy Podlach
    By Betsy Podlach
    Located in Carmel, CA
    Betsy - 'Self-Portrait with Red lips. 2021 Some of Betsy's paintings were printed on apparel at Marni 2019 Milan Fashion Show. THE NEW YORK TIMES: "IN BETSY’S SENSUAL PORTRAITS, I...
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Portrait Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

Recently Viewed

View All