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Pot de Fleur et Poire

Creator: Dora Maar
Offered by: Schillay Fine Art, Inc.

Description
Dora Maar (1907-1997)

Pot de Fleur et Poire
oil on canvas
28 1/2 x 23 3/8 inches
framed: 38 x 33 inches
Signed: ‘DORA MAAR’ (on reverse)

Provenance:
Lefevre Foinet, Paris
Private collection, Plandome Manor, NY (acquired 2011)

Dora Maar (1907-1997)
Dora Maar’s artistic career is often overshadowed by her role in Pablo Picasso’s work, as both his frequent model and muse and the documentarian of the making of his Guernica (1937). Maar had an active and respected career as an avant-garde photographer and artist. She was a prominent member of the Parisian avant-garde, Her friends and lovers included Georges Bataille, Yves Tanguy, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and André Breton. Maar had originally studied painting but turned to photography after modeling for Man Ray’s photographs. She produced portraits, nudes, landscapes, fashion photographs, and photomontages.

In late 1935 or early 1936, Maar met Pablo Picasso. They became lovers soon afterwards. She was at the height of her career, while he was emerging from what he described as ‘the worst time of my life’. He had not sculpted or painted for months. Their relationship had a huge effect on both their careers. Maar documented the creation of Picasso’s most political work, Guernica 1937, encouraged his political awareness and educated him in photography. Specifically, Maar taught Picasso the cliché verre technique – a complex method combining photography and printmaking.

Picasso painted Maar in numerous portraits, including Weeping Woman 1937. However, Maar explained that she felt this wasn't a portrait of her. Instead it was a metaphor for the tragedy of the Spanish people. Picasso also encouraged Maar to return to painting. The flattened features and bold outlines of the cubist-style portraits Maar made at this time suggest Picasso’s influence.

Sadly, her nine-year relationship with Picasso ended poorly in 1943, with Picasso abusing Maar both physically and emotionally. She was left distraught and in the care of controversial psychiatrist Jacques Lacan. Maar then went on to abandon photography and paint largely in private, creating works that were both profoundly personal and emotionally evocative, and it was only after her death that these were ever exhibited.

Born Henriette Theodora Markovic on November 22, 1907 in Tours, France, Maar studied at the Académie Julian in Paris. Her work has been exhibited by Paris Galerie, the National Museum Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Palazzo Fortuny, and in 2019, the Centre Pompidou and Tate Modern.

The painted works of Dora Maar remained unrecognized until their posthumous sale, organized in 1999, which made the public and professionals discover a very personal production that had never left her studio.

More Information

Documentation:	Signed
Origin:	France
Period:	1920-1949
Materials:	oil on canvas
Condition:	Good.
Styles / Movements:	Modernism
Incollect Reference #:	486731

Dimensions

W.	23.4 in;	H.	28.5 in;
W.	59.44 cm;	H.	72.39 cm;

Message from Seller:

Schillay Fine Art, Inc. and Richard Schillay have carried on and expanded the art dealing tradition begun by Richard’s father, M. Edwin Schillay. For decades after World War II, M. Edwin Schillay was the foremost dealer of 19th century British art. He spearheaded the introduction to America of Victorian paintings on a large scale. Today Schillay Fine Art has greatly expanded its interests and offering -- well into the fields of Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Modern, and Post-War art.