Janie Michels "portrait For A Madonna" Oil On Canvas From Maurice Chevalier 92 X 63 Cm

Janie Michels (1920-2009) Oil on canvas "Portrait for a Madonna". 92 cm x 73 cm. This painting belonged to Maurice Chevalier and was located on his property in Marnes-la-Coquette. It was subsequently exhibited at the Pouliguen art fair in 1982. This work was sold through the "Les Ateliers de la Spirale" association. The typed letter accompanying this painting was written by Catherine Ariel, who was the artist's press agent. Janie Michels was a Belgian artist. She studied at the Brussels School of Fine Arts. In 1940, Matisse admired her work, and Janie became his model and student until his death in 1954. Janie's compositions are elegant, gentle, light, and refined. Her brushstrokes are energetic and highly expressive. These works offer us "a glimpse of a modern world that is both fabulous and somewhat timeless, nostalgic" (a phrase taken from Artsper's analysis). Her works can be seen at the Osaka Museum and the Pushkin Museum in Moscow. She was also known in the United States. A portrait specialist, she immortalized Maurice Chevalier in 1940, who provided her with a studio on his property in Marnes-la-Coquette. She was also recognized for her work in the world of horses and later in that of pastoral bouquets. In 1953, the David Gallery represented her alongside Bernard Buffet and Jean Carzou. From 1978 onward, she lived in Saint-Gatien, near Honfleur. She was also an official painter to the Belgian court.