Mathieu Rosianu (1897-1969) - Surrealist Scene

Mathieu Rosianu (1897-1969)
Surrealist scene, circa 1930
Ink on paper
Stamp of the workshop on the back
Dimensions of the sheet: 26 x 22 cm
Dimensions of the frame: 50 x 40 cm

Born in Bucharest in 1897, Mathieu Rosianu left Romania in 1918 to reach Paris where he followed an artistic training at the National School of Decorative Arts then at the School of Fine Arts. He exhibited his first paintings in 1920 during collective events. At the dawn of the 1930s, Mathieu Rosianu became involved in politics within the Communist Party. His work quickly became part of the movement of artists raising the question of the social role of art. He became a member of the Association of Writers and Revolutionary Artists created in 1932 alongside André Breton, Jean Giono, André Gide, Francis Jourdain and Charlotte Perriand.

In 1934, he produced the preface to the catalog of the Salon des Peintres Révolutionnaires where works by committed artists are exhibited, including Jean Lurçat, Fernand Léger, André Lhote and Maurice Estève. Mathieu Rosianu distanced himself from the Party the following year and devoted himself to the realization of decorative projects of fabrics and wallpapers under the pseudonym of Émile Arbor.

The example of Paul Cézanne strongly marked his first works with very deep volumes. Mathieu Rosianu's painting is part of the desire to reconnect with the reality dear to post-war artists. Roger Bissière, once presented as his master, also exercised a decisive influence on the young artist. From then on, Mathieu Rosianu's art will focus on exalting the dignity of the popular classes. He puts his art at the service of the people through subjects calling for social revolution.

The work that we present is a fine example of his surrealist work.