By Guy Nicod
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title: Floral Still Life With Red Amaryllis And Wine Bottles French Modernist Gouache
Guy Nicod (French 1923 - 2021)
Gouache on artist paper, unframed
Size: 19.25 x 15.5 inches (height x width)
Provenance: Artists estate, France
Condition: good overall, with light handling marks and minor age-related wear consistent with age
Description:
This bold and dynamic modernist gouache by French artist Guy Nicod (1923–2021) depicts a vibrant still life of red amaryllis flowers arranged alongside a cluster of wine bottles and fruit. The tall, vivid blooms dominate the composition, their scarlet petals set against a richly painted background of cobalt blue, deep burgundy, and emerald green. At the base of the composition, the dark verticals of bottles and the rounded form of fruit anchor the scene, creating a strong sense of balance and depth.
Nicod’s expressive use of gouache on paper brings an immediacy and energy to the piece. Bold brushstrokes and layered passages of colour merge figuration with abstraction, allowing the viewer to focus on the interplay of red, green, and yellow hues as much as on the floral subject itself. The painting captures not only the natural beauty of flowers, but also the celebratory atmosphere suggested by the presence of wine bottles, evoking themes of conviviality and abundance.
Rooted in the traditions of post-war French modernism, Nicod’s floral still lifes combine painterly freedom with structured arrangements. Here, the oversized flowers radiate across the surface with theatrical intensity, while the bottles and fruit add depth and contrast. The work is both decorative and expressive, making it an ideal choice for collectors of French floral painting...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Guy Nicod Art