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Femme au Bord d'une Rivière
Signed lower right 'Henri Martin'
Oil on canvas
25 1/2 x 21 3/4 in, 65 x 55 cm
P R O V E N A N C E
Wally Findlay Galleries Internatioal, Inc., Chicago
Private collection, Winnetka, acquired from the above 1966 and thence by descent
Celebrated for his skill in creating atmospheric paintings,
Femme au Bord d'une Rivière displays Martin's mastery at
painting light. Martin perfectly captures the sun's rays
reflecting off the water and glowing in the sky. Here, the
figure in the landscape becomes overwhelmed by the
powerful effects of nature. Much like his friend Henri Le
Sidaner, Martin was entranced by 'crepuscule', or twilight,
and often depicted this magical time of day in his work. The
warm lighting enhances the work's mystery and imbues the
image with a sense of tranquillity.
It is this essence of Symbolism which Martin has taken and
transformed to suit his own subject matter. Symbolist in its
spirit and Pointillist in its style, Femme au Bord d'une Rivière is a
testament to Martin's unique vison.
