Charles Blondin (1913-1991), Saint-ouen, Biron, The Flea Market, Circa 1950-1960

Blondin, Charles
Paris, 1913 – 1991

Saint-Ouen, Biron, the flea market, circa 1950-1960
Oil on canvas
Signed lower left “Charles Blondin”
H. 27 cm. / L. 35 cm.

Work cleaned and varnished by a professional restorer.

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Blondin, Charles
Paris, 1913 – 1991

French painter.

His artistic career spans several decades. He first took part in group exhibitions in the 1930s, and in 1935 held his first solo show.

Over the course of his career, Blondin exhibited his work in Europe and America. His paintings have been exhibited in prestigious venues such as the Bernheim-Jeune Gallery in Paris, the Guggenheim Gallery in New York and Documenta in Kassel.

He specialised in painting landscapes and, above all, urban scenes reflecting the daily life and nature of his time, and also excelled in portraiture. The flea markets, the Moulin Rouge, the Tuileries and the Palais Garnier, among others, were recurrent subjects that he favoured throughout his career.

His artistic signature lay in the use of bright colours and sharp contrasts, giving his work a particular candour and gentleness. His technique, characterised by light, blurred brushstrokes, imprecise shapes and sometimes careless proportions, created a painting imbued with suggestion and emotion, emphasising the final composition rather than the details.

In 1959, in recognition of his contribution to French culture, he was made a Knight of the Legion of Honour.

Today, his works are held in various public institutions and numerous private collections around the world.