Robert Mahias (1890-1962) Portrait Of A Woman In Profile

Robert MAHIAS
(Brussels 1890 - 1962)
Portrait of a woman in profile
Oil on canvas
H. 60 cm; L. 74 cm
Signed and dated upper left - 1925

This French painter was born in Brussels at the end of the 19th century. He trained in Paris with Fernand Cormon in his studio at the École des Beaux-Arts and presented works in the Parisian Salons from 1910. Around 1923 he followed Paris for Boston, then Montreal where he taught and exhibited. He seems to be returning from across the Atlantic during the year 1925 since he also exhibited in Paris that year.

Is our painting made in 1925 a portrait of Canadian or French? The very liberated style of this young woman and the hat make us lean today towards a realization in Montreal in fine weather. This composition of pure profile in pastel tones shows the mastery of decoration that Robert Mahias will pursue throughout his career, realizing in turn wallpapers, perfume bottles, full-length portraits or illustrations for the press of 20s to 40s.