Bouquet de fleurs dans un vase (Bouquet of Flowers in a Vase)
Painting on canvas or panel • Auguste Grass-Mick (French, 1873-1963)
Style & Movement
Post-Impressionism / Expressionism with Fauvist influence, characterized by a vibrant palette and thick, textural application of paint.
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas (or oil on board), likely executed with a combination of impasto for the petals and thinner glazing in the background to create depth. Heavy, expressive brushwork is visible.
Creation Period
Circa 1920-1940
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 40 x 25 cm (excluding frame); Portrait format.
Subject Description
A vertical still life composition featuring a polychromatic floral arrangement in a white and terracotta-toned baluster vase. The bouquet includes gladioli and chrysanthemums set against a dark, moody background, resting on a tabletop with patterned cloth.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The paint film appears stable, though there is visible surface grime and yellowing of the varnish consistent with age.
Estimated Market Value
$1,000 - $1,800 USD
Auction Estimate
$600 - $1,200 USD
Provenance History
Likely from a private French collection. Signed lower left 'Grass-Mick'. The frame is a traditional mid-20th-century gilded wood frame often used by Parisian galleries of the era.
Art Historical Significance
Grass-Mick was a noted painter, illustrator, and writer active in the Montmartre scene. This work represents his mature style where he moved away from pure illustration toward a more painterly, expressive interpretation of everyday objects.
Notable Features
Distinctive 'scratched' texture in the background and table surface; clear signature on the lower left which provides strong attribution.
Condition Issues
Slight craquelure in the heavier impasto areas. Varnish is somewhat oxidized (yellowed). Possible minor frame abrasions on the edges of the support.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning and a light re-varnishing with a non-yellowing synthetic resin. Keep in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight.
Collector Notes
AUGUSTE GRASS-MICK (1873-1963)