Louis de Marquevic

LOUIS DE MARQUEVIC (Paris, 1896–1973).
“Odette Naulin,” 1949.
Oil on burlap. Relined.
Signed and dated in the lower right corner.
It shows slight losses in the paint layer, with the fabric weave visible in various areas.
Measurements: 146 x 114 cm; 167.5 x 135.5 cm (frame).

This work by Louis de Marquevic belongs to his body of female portraits from the 1930s and 1940s, characterized by elegant figuration and a particular sensitivity toward the depiction of women. Dated 1941, the painting reflects the artist’s interest in fashion and clothing, combining the tradition of portraiture with a style marked by a strong decorative intent.

The composition depicts a young woman with blonde hair, seated and leaning casually against the back of a chair. She wears a loose-fitting white dress with puffed sleeves, adorned with floral motifs in shades of blue, pink, and violet, and a blue bow that accentuates the figure’s verticality. The delicacy of her face and her relaxed posture are hallmarks of contrast with the fluidity of the brushstrokes, which become even freer in the rendering of the dress and the background. The palette of pastel tones, dominated by whites, blues, and soft greens, lends the image an evocative atmosphere.

Louis de Marquevic, also known as Ludwik Markiewicz, was a painter and decorator active in France, particularly renowned for his portraits of elegant women, nudes, and figure compositions. He participated in the 1937 Salon des Indépendants in Paris and also produced landscapes and large decorative panels. In 1948, he entered the art competitions at the London Olympic Games with “Le boxeur Rutz,” a painting currently held in the collection of the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.