Raphaël Delorme (1885-1962), Study Of Legs, Watercolor And Pencil On Paper

Raphaël Delorme (1885-1962)
Study of legs, preparatory work for La Princesse, oil on canvas
Watercolor and pencil on paper
Annotated “La Princesse” lower right
27 x 20 cm Small traces of folds and small stains
Sold in a passe-partout everywhere for a 40 x 30 cm frame

Born in 1885 in Bordeaux, Raphaël Delorme is one of the major figures of so-called “Art Deco” painting. He received his first training at the École des Beaux-Arts in his hometown before settling in Paris where he began a brief career as a theater designer. Maintained and encouraged by a wealthy relative, he quickly focused on easel painting. Unconcerned with selling his paintings, he nevertheless exhibited regularly at the Salon d'Automne and the Salon des Tuileries.

Raphaël Delorme develops a very singular visual universe populated by female nudes and mythological creatures. These figures evolve within eccentric scenographies where ancient architecture and surrealist machines mingle. A true harmony emanates from his compositions, which are always impeccable in design and produced in the cold tones characteristic of his art. We were able to link this study with the work La Princesse, an oil on canvas from a John Nicholson sale in 2013 (see photos).