Ü Yvonne Canu
(French, 1921-2008)
"Brittany Coast"
oil on canvas
signed lower right.
Framed.
21" x 26", framed 28" x 32"
Provenance: Leighton Fine Art, Marlow, UK; Private collection, Texas.

When Yvonne Canu encountered Georges Seurat's Un Dimanche Apres-Midi a L'ile de la Grande Jatte in the mid-1950s, she was astounded, and it changed the trajectory of her career as an artist. Nearly half a century after Seurat's early death, Canu decided to dedicate herself exclusively to Pointillism and adopted the technique for all her work. As a Neo-Impressionist, she further expanded upon the theories of Divisionism - the separation of each color into individual dots that interact optically to produce the illusion of more vibrant and luminous hues.

Though heavily influenced by Seurat, Canu's works are distinctly modern. Her fearless approach utilized pure color and blocky brushstrokes to boldly capture the atmosphere of the seascapes and port scenes for which she is so well known. In Brittany Coast, the patches of color blend together playfully to produce a representation of the waves moving and the sunlight shining, illustrating her creative freedom and confidence. Despite the whimsical nature of the work, there is also a high level of precision - each block of pigment is painstakingly placed in order to achieve the optical mixing that Canu never stopped pursuing. Her style is undeniably avant-garde and modern; when one considers the high intensity color, playful brushstrokes, and themes of fearlessness, Canu is clearly set apart from the Pointillists and Divisionists of the 19th century who galvanized her.

Surface dirt, dark spot-like accretions (soiling), craquelure visible in the areas of impasto, some areas illuminate under UV light possibly due to the chemical composition of pigments, possible spot-like losses but difficult to discern due to artist technique. Frame with losses, cracks, nicks, abrasions and old repairs. Please ask for additional images. New Orleans Auction Galleries is pleased to issue and opinion of any lot; the absence of a condition report does not indicate that a lot is perfect condition or free from damage and/or wear.  Please understand that New Orleans Auction Galleries employs no professional conservators. All statements in any condition report, or statements taken verbally, are purely our best opinions, and not blanket statements of fact issued by this auction house.  Prospective buyers should examine each lot so as to satisfy themselves concerning condition, genuineness, importance, age, etc. Regardless of any statements made in writing or verbally, all lots are sold strictly "As Is" in accordance with section 2 of our Conditions of Sale.  No returns will be accepted on the basis of condition.