18
Marquayrol, sous la treille, travaux de couture abandonés, c.1920
Signed lower left 'Henri Martin'
Oil on canvas
32 1/2 x 31 1/2 in, 82.6 x 80.0 cm
P R O V E N A N C E
Findlay Galleries, Inc., New York
Collection of Mr. and Mrs. John R. McFarlin, San Antonio, Texas
Thence by descent
Private Collection, London
L I T E R AT U R E
This work is accompanied by a photo certificate issued by Cyrille Martin
and dated 23rd January 2014
Martin and his wife, Marie-Charlotte, cultivated a beautiful
Italianate garden in the grounds of their villa, Marquayrol,
in Labastide-du-Vert. Within his extensive gardens Martin
painted motifs that occur repeatedly in his work: the pools,
the terrace, the pots of geraniums and the gate. In this
painting he has focused on the columns of the smaller of
two arbors, la treille, which stood on the garden terrace
covered in vine leaves.
As the title describes, Marquayrol, sous la treille, travaux de
couture abandonés depicts sewing abandoned on an empty
chair. This seemingly mundane task is transformed by
Martin into a celebration of the tranquillity of everyday
life. The painting is also a testament to how architecture
works alongside nature in his carefully designed, yet free,
garden. Using his considerable skills as a draftsman, Martin
often contrasted geometric architectural shapes with the
organic forms of nature. The classical lines of the pillars,
chair and round table below are cleverly juxtaposed with
the surrounding flowers, abundant greenery and vines. Just
as the chair and grass seemingly become one, the trellises
are engulfed by branches, creating a harmonious space for
man and nature.
