Saint Roch – School In Bordeaux, Circa 1940

This moving depiction of Saint Roch, protector of plague victims, the sick, and travelers, is part of the tradition of 20th-century French religious painting. Created by an artist from the Bordeaux School around 1940, it captivates with its free and expressive interpretation, in which the generously applied paint lends the scene a unique intensity.

The saint is depicted according to his traditional iconography: clad in a pilgrim’s cloak, with one bare leg revealing his characteristic wound, accompanied by his faithful dog who came to bring him bread during his exile. The background, rendered with vigor and in a warm color palette, evokes an almost theatrical urban architecture, reinforcing the spiritual character of the composition.

The energetic and sensitive execution reflects the influence of Expressionist movements that characterized part of the Bordeaux art scene during this period. The impasto and the play of light give the work a remarkable presence.

The painting is set in a substantial carved and gilded wooden frame, richly adorned with scrollwork and foliage motifs, which beautifully highlights the composition. Note a few small gaps and areas where paint is missing, as well as some wear and tear on the frame’s gilding, visible in the photographs. These imperfections are minor and in no way detract from the decorative quality or overall appeal of the piece.

A work of character, equally suited for a lover of religious painting, a collector of the Bordeaux School, or an interior designer seeking a striking piece steeped in history.

Dimensions with frame: 80 × 60 cm.