Vase de fleurs (Still Life with Gladioli and Chrysanthemum)
Original painting on canvas, mounted in a period-style gilt frame • Auguste Grass-Mick (French, 1873-1963)
Style & Movement
Post-Impressionism with Expressionist influences; characteristic of the Ecole de Paris still-life tradition
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas; applied with expressive brushwork, heavy impasto in the floral highlights, and wet-on-wet blending in the background
Creation Period
Circa 1920s-1940s
Dimensions & Format
Approx. 55 x 33 cm (21.7 x 13 inches), vertical portrait format
Subject Description
A vertical floral composition featuring a variety of blooms including tall stalks of gladioli in red, white, and purple, and a large chrysanthemum in pale yellow. The flowers are arranged in a slender, light-colored ceramic vase with a flared rim, set against a dark, atmospheric blue-green background that provides high contrast.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the canvas appears stable with some visible surface grime and historic varnish yellowing. The frame shows minor losses to the gilded carving.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $2,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$800 - $1,200 USD
Provenance History
Private collection; artist's signature 'Grass Mick' is visible in the lower left quadrant. Likely originated from a French estate or gallery specializing in 20th-century figurative art.
Art Historical Significance
Grass-Mick was a notable figure in the Montmartre art scene and a friend of many renowned modernists. His work bridges the gap between traditional French floral painting and the more emotive, textured styles of the early 20th century. This piece is representative of his mature handle on color theory and floral anatomy.
Notable Features
Distinctive 'scumbled' background technique; authentic cursive signature at the lower left; original ornate Louis XV style swept frame adds significant decorative value.
Condition Issues
Slight craquelure consistent with age, particularly in the thicker paint of the white flower petals. Possible mild stretcher bar impressions and accumulation of dust in the frame crevices.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning to remove aged varnish and grime; application of a fresh, reversible UV-protective varnish. Display in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight.
Collector Notes
AUGUSTE GRASS-MICK (1873-1963