L'Or des Roses
20th-century British school oil on canvas signed Edward Molyneux (1891-1974) and dated 54 for 1954. The work has little texture to the touch.
A captivating still life that embodies the modern and distinctive style of Edward Molyneux, often featuring ordinary yet elegant objects such as fruits, flowers, feathers, shells, and glassware. Each element is meticulously arranged on flat, uncluttered surfaces, creating a harmonious composition.
Molyneux's creations are distinguished by their restrained color palette, comprising soft, pastel hues that evoke a serene and tranquil atmosphere. This approach allows the vibrant petals in this composition to truly shine. Central to his work is the emphasis on texture, offering a subtle realism and a tactile effect. The simple forms, accentuated by bold graphic outlines, also reveal the influence of Japanese art on Edward Molyneux's creations.
About the artist: Captain Edward Molyneux (1891-1974) was a renowned fashion designer, art collector, painter, and British perfumer who achieved great success in the 1920s and 1930s. He dressed numerous eminent figures of his era, including Princess Marina of Greece, the Duchess of Windsor, members of the British royal family, and Hollywood stars such as Marlene Dietrich and Vivien Leigh.
A lifelong art enthusiast, Molyneux acquired an impressive collection of 18th-century French and Impressionist paintings. His collection, exhibited in New York and Washington in 1952, was purchased in 1955 by Ailsa Mellon Bruce (1901-1969), whose collection was bequeathed to the National Gallery of Art upon her death.
Molyneux also painted, primarily focusing on still lifes. Exhibitions of his paintings were held at the Galerie Weill in Paris (between 1950-1956) and at the Hammer Galleries in New York (1967), where the Duke and Duchess of Windsor purchased 'Carnations in Vase' and Greta Garbo acquired 'Roses in the Glass'.
In 1965, Time Magazine described him as "the Parisian equivalent of Manhattan's Mainbocher, a classicist devoted to a smooth appearance and a tailored line."
Christian Dior and Pierre Balmain, who later became iconic fashion designers, were Molyneux's protégés. He taught them to eliminate the superfluous in their creations and to focus on the essential, much like his still life paintings.
- Overall Size: 52cm x 41cm / 20.4" x 16.1".
- Size without frame: 35cm x 24cm / 13.7" x 9.4".
- Country of Origin: France.
- Artist's Signature: Edward Molyneux (1891-1974).
- Creation Date: Mid-20th century.
- Condition: The canvas is in very good condition with minor veins. The vintage wooden Montparnasse frame has a 0.7" loss in the lower right corner, as well as other minor losses and impacts.
- Materials: Oil on stretched canvas with a curved wood frame.
- Shipping: Complimentary shipping to the US and Europe. A surcharge will be applied for deliveries to Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.