sailor’s Wife, woman of sorrow

René de Pauw

1887 – 1946

Oil on panel 110 X 100 cm, mounted in a flocked frame with golden patina 125 X 114 cm, signed and located Heist (for Heist-sur- sea, near Knokke), countersigned and located again on the back which also bears a label overprinted with a stamp from the Spring Show of the City of Liège of 1943 giving us the title, the date, the address of the author and even… his price at the time! René de Pauw was born in Pittem in Belgium and trained at the Academy of Bruges. His first works are part of a luminous post-impressionism which later gave way to a darker realism, sculpting his figures in a reduced palette and a perfectly composed hieraticism of which the frescoes at Bruges station and our painting are a perfect example. . This beautiful young woman who has just breastfed her baby who fell asleep after the feed is sadly thinking of her husband who is at sea… The superb triangle composition closing on the rustic Still Life made up of the coffee maker and the earthenware bowl , the shades of bistres and browns, the light, both direct and reflected (the baby’s skin !!) and its format make it a museum piece. Do not hesitate to ask us for photos or additional information by email or phone.