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René Martin (1891-1977) Portrait Of A Young Berber Woman 1935 Orientalist Painting
Dated 1935, this pastel depicts a bust-length portrait of a young Berber woman, probably from the Kabylia region, shown in three-quarter view with her gaze turned to the left. The work stands out for the sobriety of the pose and the quiet dignity of the sitter, far removed from any decorative or fantasized Orientalism.
The figure is adorned with traditional Berber silver jewelry, rendered with great precision: a rigid frontal headdress decorated with circular pendants, large earrings linked by chains to the chignon, and a decorative fibula fastening the drapery on the shoulder. The presence of a vertical facial tattoo on the chin—a strong cultural marker of Berber women—confirms the ethnographic grounding of the representation.
The face, with full and harmonious features, is modeled through subtle gradations of warm, rosy tones. The dark hair, styled in a low chignon, is enlivened by bluish highlights that add depth and elegance to the composition. The treatment of the partially bare bust fully exploits the softness and matte quality of pastel, giving the whole a presence that is both sensitive and restrained.
This work belongs to the current of artistic ethnographism of the 1930s, combining fidelity to cultural signs, high quality of execution, and a search for timeless beauty.
A rare and particularly accomplished work, this pastel constitutes a sensitive and well-documented testimony to the interest shown by 20th-century artists in the Berber cultures of North Africa.
The artwork is in very good condition.
Presented in a modern frame that fully enhances the pastel.
Visible dimensions: 44 × 40 cm
Framed dimensions: 70 × 66 cm
René Martin
Swiss painter and illustrator of the 20th century
René Martin was a Swiss painter and illustrator active in the first half of the 20th century. He is known for his portraits and figurative works, executed in oil, pastel, and drawing, as well as for his advertising illustrations, which demonstrate a keen sense of composition, aesthetics, and staging.
During the 1920s–1930s, René Martin showed a particular interest in North African subjects, adopting a documented and ethnographic approach distinct from the fanciful Orientalism of the 19th century. His works reflect a careful observation of human types, traditional adornments, and cultural markers, while retaining an artistic and poetic dimension.
Pastel occupies an important place in his oeuvre, a medium that allowed him to convey with finesse the softness of faces, the depth of gazes, and the richness of textures. His portraits are characterized by a quiet dignity, a measured idealization, and remarkable quality of execution.
René Martin thus fits within a humanist and ethnographic figurative tradition, while mastering the codes of illustration and advertising, which gives his work a style that was elegant, precise, and modern for its time. His works—particularly his portraits of Berber women from North Africa—are now sought after for their rare artistic and documentary quality.
Photographs are taken in natural light.
Careful packaging.
Shipping costs are the responsibility of the buyer.
I remain at your disposal for any further information or additional photographs.
We are actively seeking paintings by Orientalist artists. Please feel free to send us a message with any offers or information.
The figure is adorned with traditional Berber silver jewelry, rendered with great precision: a rigid frontal headdress decorated with circular pendants, large earrings linked by chains to the chignon, and a decorative fibula fastening the drapery on the shoulder. The presence of a vertical facial tattoo on the chin—a strong cultural marker of Berber women—confirms the ethnographic grounding of the representation.
The face, with full and harmonious features, is modeled through subtle gradations of warm, rosy tones. The dark hair, styled in a low chignon, is enlivened by bluish highlights that add depth and elegance to the composition. The treatment of the partially bare bust fully exploits the softness and matte quality of pastel, giving the whole a presence that is both sensitive and restrained.
This work belongs to the current of artistic ethnographism of the 1930s, combining fidelity to cultural signs, high quality of execution, and a search for timeless beauty.
A rare and particularly accomplished work, this pastel constitutes a sensitive and well-documented testimony to the interest shown by 20th-century artists in the Berber cultures of North Africa.
The artwork is in very good condition.
Presented in a modern frame that fully enhances the pastel.
Visible dimensions: 44 × 40 cm
Framed dimensions: 70 × 66 cm
René Martin
Swiss painter and illustrator of the 20th century
René Martin was a Swiss painter and illustrator active in the first half of the 20th century. He is known for his portraits and figurative works, executed in oil, pastel, and drawing, as well as for his advertising illustrations, which demonstrate a keen sense of composition, aesthetics, and staging.
During the 1920s–1930s, René Martin showed a particular interest in North African subjects, adopting a documented and ethnographic approach distinct from the fanciful Orientalism of the 19th century. His works reflect a careful observation of human types, traditional adornments, and cultural markers, while retaining an artistic and poetic dimension.
Pastel occupies an important place in his oeuvre, a medium that allowed him to convey with finesse the softness of faces, the depth of gazes, and the richness of textures. His portraits are characterized by a quiet dignity, a measured idealization, and remarkable quality of execution.
René Martin thus fits within a humanist and ethnographic figurative tradition, while mastering the codes of illustration and advertising, which gives his work a style that was elegant, precise, and modern for its time. His works—particularly his portraits of Berber women from North Africa—are now sought after for their rare artistic and documentary quality.
Photographs are taken in natural light.
Careful packaging.
Shipping costs are the responsibility of the buyer.
I remain at your disposal for any further information or additional photographs.
We are actively seeking paintings by Orientalist artists. Please feel free to send us a message with any offers or information.
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