La Colombe

Literature

Jules Cavaillès was a well-known and versatile French Post-Impressionist artist. He worked in oils, gouache, and pastel and his subject matter was wide ranging, specializing in still life. His work is represented in many leading collections and museums, including the Modern Art Museum in Paris, and other museums in the United States and Europe.

At the outset of his career, he was introduced to Henri Martin who encouraged him to go to Paris to study fine art. In 1922, he arrived in Paris with his wife, Rose, and in 1925 he enrolled at the Académie Julian and he began exhibiting at the various Parisian Salons from 1928 – the Societie des Artistes Francais, Societe des Artistes Independants and l’Automne.

Although Cavaillès began to sell his work in 1922, he and Rose opened a small grocery store to generate more income toward art materials. Shortly after, he was invited to participate at the Salon des Tuileries, and in 1936 he organized the 14th exhibition of the Artistes de ce temps in the Petit-Palais. In the same year he received the prestigious Grant Blumenthal and he was soon awarded the commission to decorate the Pavilion of Languedoc for the Exposition Universelle. He became part of a group of artists called La Realite Poetique.

His artistic style is characterized by the juxtaposition of pure color, derived from an interpretation of Fauvist painting, but reflecting the simple expression of joie de vivre. He cultivated subjects which represented the pleasures of life, in bold and cheerful color.

Our painting captures the essence of the artist’s ouevre. The bright and bold red, green, pink and blue splashy colors immediately generate feelings of well being. The pot overflows with beautiful flowers and leaves; included at the foreground, is a charming dove which one often finds in Cavaillès’ still life paintings. Typical associations for the dove include Love, Courtship, Peace, Truth – all words contributing to an idyllic and joyful message.