La Fée Électricité (The Electricity Fairy)
Large-scale monumental painting originally executed as a mural; this appears to be a high-quality reproduction or a significant preparatory study. • Raoul Dufy (1877–1953)
Style & Movement
Fauvism / Modernism. It embodies the 'color-light' theories of Dufy, characterized by the dissociation of color from line.
Medium & Technique
Oil and gouache on paper or canvas. The technique utilizes Raoul Dufy's signature style of fluid, calligraphic line-work over washes of vibrant, translucent color, creating a rhythmic and luminous surface.
Creation Period
Original mural painted between 1936 and 1937 for the Exposition Internationale in Paris.
Dimensions & Format
Landscape format. While the original mural is 600 square meters, this specific rendition appears to be a large-format print or localized replica measuring approximately 120 x 240 cm.
Subject Description
A panoramic history of electricity and its contributors. The lower register features 110 scientists and philosophers (including Edison, Bell, and Tesla), while the upper portion depicts the industrial and mythological landscapes enabled by power, culminating in the flight of Iris among flashes of light.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good. The colors appear vibrant and saturated, though as it is displayed on a screen or back-lit mount, its physical longevity depends on the substrate stability.
Estimated Market Value
$5,000 - $15,000 for a significant signed lithographic series; significantly higher if it were a preparatory gouache study by Dufy's hand.
Auction Estimate
$4,000 - $8,000 based on recent sales of Dufy's large-scale graphic works and prints.
Provenance History
The original mural is housed at the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. This version is likely a licensed limited-edition lithographic reproduction or a corporate commission related to the energy sector.
Art Historical Significance
When completed, it was the largest painting in the world. It is a masterpiece of early 20th-century public art, celebrating the intersection of science, industry, and progress through a joyous, modern aesthetic.
Notable Features
Includes identifiable portraits of historical figures with handwritten-style labels below them, set against an industrial back-drop that transitions from the mythological past to the modern electrical age.
Condition Issues
Potential fading from UV exposure due to the high sensitivity of Dufy's color palette; evidence of horizontal and vertical seams suggests a tiled assembly common in large reproductions.
Conservation Recommendations
Use UV-protective glazing and maintain a stable humidity environment (45-55% RH). Avoid placement directly beneath HVAC vents like the one visible above the frame.