Portrait of Charles Maurras (1868-1952)

Early 20th century French school
Portrait of Charles Maurras (1868-1952)
Charcoal
H. 37.5 cm ; L. 27 cm
Signed and dated lower left
Probably (19)09

It would be pointless to attempt in a few lines to describe the true personality and ideas of Charles Maurras, which are often contradictory and controversial. Let's just say that this man, whose name alone evokes Action Française and ultra-nationalism, was an intellectual, writer, critic, journalist and ideologue who played an important role in the French right and extreme right during the Third Republic.

This beautiful, almost photographic portrait, whose signature has not been deciphered, shows him still young, at just over 40. Originally from Martigues near Marseille, he had published the first issue of the daily Action Française the previous year, 1908.