Fleurs dans un vase (Flowers in a Vase)
Original painting on canvas • Maurice de Vlaminck (attributed to/manner of)
Style & Movement
Fauvism / Expressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, featuring heavy impasto brushwork, wet-on-wet application, and expressive, gestural strokes
Creation Period
Circa early to mid-20th Century (1930s-1950s)
Dimensions & Format
40” x 20”; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A vertical floral still life featuring a bouquet of white anemones and red blossoms arranged in a patterned ceramic vase. The composition uses a dark, moody background contrasted against a light tabletop, employing a somber palette typical of Vlaminck's later period with dramatic highlights and heavy outlines.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. There are visible signs of aging including surface dirt, minor craquelure throughout the heavier impasto areas, and slight yellowing of the varnish layer.
Estimated Market Value
$5,000 - $15,000 (Note: If authenticated as an original by the Wildenstein Plattner Institute, value could exceed $40,000-$80,000; currently estimated as 'Manner of' pending verification).
Auction Estimate
$3,000 - $6,000 (As attributed)
Provenance History
Unknown; requires physical inspection of the reverse for gallery labels or stamps. The signature 'Vlaminck' is visible in the lower left corner and follows the artist's known cursive script.
Art Historical Significance
Representational of the 'Vlaminck School' style which movement from the bright colors of Fauvism toward a more dark, Expressionistic, and dramatic approach. The work shows the influence of Cézanne in its structured composition and Van Gogh in its turbulent brushwork.
Notable Features
Signature 'Vlaminck' in the lower-left corner; high-quality gilded wood frame; distinct thick impasto typical of the artist's tactile painting style.
Condition Issues
Stable craquelure in white pigment areas (likely due to thick paint drying at different rates), localized surface grime, and potential minor loss near the edges hidden by the frame.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning and a light varnish refresh are recommended. Ensure the piece is kept in a climate-controlled environment away from direct UV light to prevent further pigment degradation.
Collector Notes
40” x 20”