SKIPPINGS FINE ART Newsletter No. 3, December 2017

The Christmas, Snow and Pop-Up Issue

Greetings from Paris! To be seasonal, I thought I’d present in this issue three paintings

with the theme of snow.

The first one is by Carlos-Reymond (1884-1970), an artist closely connected to the French

Impressionist and Post-Impressionist movements.

Initially encouraged in his art aged 16 by Claude Monet, Carlos-Reymond studied with

Paul Signac in the South of France. He became part of the artistic circles that included

Henri Matisse, Pierre Bonnard, Albert Marquet as well as numerous musicians and writers.

In 1941 Carlos-Reymond and his wife, the daughter of fellow artist Henri Lebasque,

moved to Cimiez, where they became the neighbours of their close friend, Matisse.

Carlos-Reymond (1884-1970), Neige à Cimiez, 1941, oil on canvas, 65 x 54 cm £ 780

Cimiez is on the heights of Nice. Henri Matisse had moved there in 1938 to live in the

Regina Palace, the former Grand Hotel built for Queen Victoria and her entourage (hence

the name). It had been converted into flats, and Matisse occupied a vast apartment/studio

there, which overlooked the Cimiez hill with its monastery.

One of the distinguishing features of the Regina Palace is its cast-iron footbridge, which

leads over a road to its gardens.

Do you notice something? Yes! Our painting depicts the view from Matisse’s window

at the Regina Palace. Did Carlos-Reymond paint it at Matisse’s flat, or was he living

literally next door already when the picture was created? I don’t know.

The picture dates most likely from the winter of 1940-41, which brought record low

temperatures and snow to much of Europe, including the Mediterranean.

Carlos-Reymond, Neige à Cimiez (detail) £ 780

I am able to offer this very special painting at a low price (and that includes a gorgeous

frame), as it is as yet in “studio sale condition”. It could benefit from a light clean and re-

stretch. I would be happy to arrange this at cost, but have not done it so far, as the new

owner might just prefer to keep the picture as is.

The painting is in Paris for the time being, but can be brought to London/Norwich before

Christmas, if you register an interest, and wish to see it. Please contact me for further

details.

Our second snow painting is by Jean Amblard (1911-1989):

Jean Amblard (1911-1989), Paris Rooftops with telegraph mast, 1929, oil on board, 46 x 38 cm, £ 580, framed

Jean Amblard is one of those artists that only the initiated know about. He was the closest

friend of the painter Boris Taslitzky (1911-2005), who introduced me to Amblard's work.

"Soul brothers', Jean and Boris called each other. They had met in the studio of Lucien

Simon, in the late 1920s. I never met Amblard, but I heard so much about him from Boris:

such as the story of a still-teenage Amblard climbing of the railings of the Luxembourg

Gardens at night, to pick flowers for his girlfriend(s).

Like Taslitzky and Picasso, Amblard exhibited at the Universal Exhibition of 1937 in Paris.

Like Picasso's, his painting was entitled Guernica, and hung in the Spanish Pavilion.

After the war, Amblard largely turned to painting murals and large public commissions.

Paintings by the artist are rarely seen on the market. Our rooftops under the snow are

quite wonderful. The painting has a great feel of modernity, with its striking composition.

The reflection of light on the snow and the leaden sky make a fabulous contrast. You can

feel the strength, energy and freshness of youth in it, yet it is masterly executed. I am

somewhat reluctant to part with it – I love it in my Paris flat, but it is available to go to a

good new home, and can be brought to the UK upon request.

My final snow scene is by an unidentified artist, active in Barbizon in 1906:

Barbizon Artist, active ca 1906: Winter, oil on board , 16 x 24 cm, £ 180, framed

It is a very quiet and atmospheric painting on board, which feels much bigger than its size,

and is very modern for its time. Annotated “Barbizon, at the edge of the woods” and

dated January 1rst 1906 (in French), it is one of my favorite mystery paintings, and a

bargain at £ 180.

If you enjoy looking at these pictures, come meet them (and many others!) in person:

at the very first Skippings Fine Arts Pop Up, December 1-10 at 42 St Giles Street, Norwich

NR2 1HE.

I am so incredible fortunate and grateful to be able to show them in one of the most

beautiful venues in the City: the Georgian House (formerly James Brett Antiques) opposite

the St Giles House Hotel.

Please join us there for a drinks and French sweets (in lieu of mince pies) at the opening on

December 1st from 4-7 pm.

There will be not only paintings, but also sculpture, tribal and archaeological objects – and

something to suit any every budget.

I look forward to seeing you!

Tamara

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