A very special painting, painted in 1943, it was exhibited in a French 'Salon d'Art' in 1946 when galleries reopened again after the Occupation in WW2. The timing, painted during the very harsh war time years in Occupied France is pertanent to understanding the work.
It depicts a young woman in a Normandy cottage, spinning wool on a small spinning wheel. It literally depicts an old time 'cottage industry' where women spun at home around caring for the children and housework. The date adds another dimention. This was painted during the time that Normandy was occupied by German troops and the people suffered, money and food were scarce and life was uncertain.
This was not a wealthy home, the woman is humbly but neatly dressed and significantly in blue, the colour of the Madonna, symbolising her goodness and modesty. She wears wooden clogs, country working shoes and these are clearly shown as she works the treadle.
The home is sparsly furnished, as many French country cottages are even now. There is only a potted plant, an unframed picture or calendar pegged to the wall. Apart from her upright chair and spinning wheel, the only visible furniture is a chest for furniture. This is an old dough proving chest, much older by 100 years or so than the date of the picture. It could however be being used for storing her wool and equipment.
Light streams into the house, a lace half curtain placed for privacy is pulled back to increase the light to work by, and illuminates her face, intent on her work. It also illuminates her wool, giving it value in this scene. Her features are indistinct, this is figuratively one of many such women who worked hard like this to earn enough money to survive during the hardships of the occupied years. In this portrait her labour is elevated.
The painting has a distinct charm. It is oil on board in the origianal frame. On the back is some indistinct script in pencil in French giving the date painted, and a sticker from the exhibition.
The frame and the board have some minor movements, it is not flat and there are some water marks on the frame and back, caused by the damp Normandy climate. The paint has textured throughout with this movement, please see the pictures in close up. This is all aging to be expected over time and due to the type of board which was available in wartime France. The paint has not flaked off and is solid. I have stored it at room temperature inside my home for several months and it is now dry and is stabilised without any intervention from me.
The frame could be refinished but I have left it as found, with only a gentle clean with a soft cloth. This portrait's history is intact for you to choose.
The portrait measures 16.5" by 13" plus frame