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René GenisMid-20th Century Oil on Board Abstract Impressionist Maritime Scene, René GenisUnknown
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About the Item
Step into the bustling energy of a portside moment with René Genis’ “Les Grues” (The Cranes)”, a captivating oil-on-mat-board painting that transforms the industrial into a work of poetic beauty. Signed with a flourish in the lower left and titled on the verso—where a handwritten note suggests Bordeaux as its muse—this piece portrays a merchant ship mid-loading, its deck alive with activity. Towering cranes, their angular forms slicing through the composition, dominate the scene, their silhouettes etched against a sky awash in soft grays and blues. These cool tones ripple like the nearby waters, reflecting the moody ambiance of a working harbor. Splashes of vibrant orange—perhaps the glint of cargo or the glow of a setting sun—ignite the canvas, balanced by crisp whites that highlight the ship’s hull and scattered port details. Measuring 20.625” x 25.625” (52.39 cm x 65.09 cm) with a slim 1” depth (2.54 cm), this painting commands attention without overwhelming, its scale ideal for a striking focal point.
Genis’ mastery shines in the details: the cranes’ stark lines contrast with the fluid, almost abstract rendering of the ship and sea, a hallmark of his Abstract Impressionist style. The oil on mat board medium adds a subtle texture, with the board’s surface catching the paint in a way that deepens the interplay of light and shadow—imagine the rough grain accentuating the cranes’ edges or the smooth sweeps of blue suggesting distant waves. The palette dances between cool and warm, evoking the clash of industry and nature, while his Fauvist-inspired color choices infuse the scene with a lively, almost musical rhythm. This isn’t just a port; it’s a living tableau, pulsing with the spirit of Bordeaux’s historic docks—or wherever your imagination sets the sails.
About the Artist: René Genis (1922-2004) was a French visionary born in Hué, Vietnam, where the lush tropics of his early years shaped his love for fluid, atmospheric landscapes. Returning to France in 1931, he settled near Bordeaux in the Gironde, a region whose ports and rivers fueled his art. Genis studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Bordeaux (1940-1945) on a scholarship, later honing his craft at Paris’ École des Arts Décoratifs under giants like Albert Marquet and Marcel Gromaire. His breakout came with a 1956 solo show at Galerie Charpentier in Paris, launching a career that spanned continents. A prize-winner at the Salon de la Jeune Peinture (1960) and a fixture at the Salon Comparaisons, Genis’ works—celebrated for their Fauvist palette and poetic realism—grace collections like the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, the National Library of Paris, and the Fine Arts Museum of Lyon. A collaborator with New York’s David Findlay Galleries and a teacher at the Collège de Pontoise, he influenced artists like Swiss painter Andry, leaving a legacy that bridges Eastern serenity and Western dynamism. “Les Grues” channels his Bordeaux roots and maritime passion into a timeless treasure.
In good condition for its age, this painting carries authentic traces of its history: a ½” tear on the right mid-sheet (discreetly frameable), a slight crumple in the lower left corner, and minor spot losses at the lower corners (all vividly captured in photos). These subtle marks fade beneath the work’s bold presence, adding character to its journey. This is a rare steal for a Genis oil of this scale and subject—an unbeatable value for 1stdibs collectors seeking art with soul and story.
Picture it in a coastal library, urban dining room, or gallery wall—its nautical vigor transforming your space. Don’t let this Genis gem slip away—secure it now and own a piece of 20th-century French brilliance.
- Creator:René Genis (1922-2004, French)
- Creation Year:Unknown
- Dimensions:Height: 20.625 in (52.39 cm)Width: 25.625 in (65.09 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:Good (½” tear on right, slight crumple lower left, minor spot losses—see photos).
- Gallery Location:Berlin, MD
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU137626715782
René Genis
René Genis was born on July 26, 1922 in Hué, Annam, French Indonesia (Vietnam). Genis went with his family to Gironde, Arcachon in Bordeaux, France in 1931. Starting in 1940 he studied for five years at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Bordeaux, which won him a four year scholarship to the Ecole des Arts Décoratifs in Paris with Albert Marquet and Marcel Gromaire. He exhibited at the Salon de la Jeune Peinture and participated in group shows throughout France. He had his first one-man show at Galerie Charpentier in Paris in 1956. A painter, printmaker and illustrator, Genis taught at the College de Pontoise. From that time, Genis exhibited his paintings at the Salon de la Jeune Peinture, and he received the prize in 1960. For forty years, he exhibited regularly at the Salon Comparaisons in the group of Maurice Boitel. He was also a member of the Society of French Painters-Engravers. Genis is famous with his elegant still-life painting. No matter if the theme is Oriental scenery or French countryside, he always keeps a very poetry serenely ambience. With other artists like Guy Bardone, André Brasilier, Bernard Cathelin, and Paul Guiramand, Genis is also one of the important members of the Parisian Neo-Figurative School. His work has been collected by Musée d'art moderne de la ville de Paris, National Library of Paris, Fine Arts Museum of Lyon, Yamagata Museum of Art etc. René Genis was influenced by the group of poetic realists with Christian Caillard, Jules Cavaillès, Raymond Legueult, Roger Limouse, Roland Oudot, André Planson, etc. The Swiss painter Andry acknowledges being influenced by him. (Bio sourced from the Archives of AskArt - Submitted 2022 by: Jacob Frank)
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