Offered by Poncelin de Raucourt Fine Arts
Paintings and drawings, from 16th to 19th century
Léon Perrin (1860 – 1931)
Portrait of a Young Girl with Trompe l'œil Studies
Oil on canvas, 46 x 38 cm
Provenance:
Private collection
Léon Perrin, a French painter active at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, is renowned for his elegant and refined works, often influenced by the Art Nouveau movement. This oil on canvas perfectly illustrates his talent for capturing the delicacy and ephemeral beauty of femininity. The central portrait of a young girl, with soft features and an introspective expression, is surrounded by three trompe l'œil studies, demonstrating not only the artist's technical mastery but also his sense of innovative composition. The color palette, dominated by pinkish tones and subtle nuances, enhances the dreamy and poetic atmosphere of the work.
Born in 1860, Léon Perrin studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he was influenced by masters such as Bouguereau and Gérôme. His career flourished at a time when art was undergoing significant transformation, with the emergence of new artistic movements like Impressionism and Art Nouveau. Perrin successfully incorporated these influences while maintaining a distinctive style characterized by exquisite execution and a particular sensitivity to light and texture.
This piece, likely created at the end of the 19th or the beginning of the 20th century, reflects the artist's stylistic evolution towards a more personal and distinctive visual language. The trompe l'œil studies, complementing the main portrait, reveal a bold artistic exploration and a desire to push the boundaries of traditional painting.
The subtlety of details, the delicate rendering of fabrics, and the softness of the girl's face give this work a special place in Léon Perrin's oeuvre, highlighting his significant role in the artistic landscape of his time.