Galerie Dreyfus
36
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NATALIA GONTCHAROVA LADYJINO, 1881 – PARIS, 1962
The Bread S…
See original version (French)
36
-
NATALIA GONTCHAROVA LADYJINO, 1881 – PARIS, 1962
The Bread S…
See original version (French)
Estimate €88,000 - €110,000
Voluntary lot
Description
NATALIA GONTCHAROVA
LADYJINO, 1881 – PARIS, 1962
The Bread Seller
1911–1912
Oil on canvas
66 x 94 cm.
This painting depicts a baker holding a large round loaf in her hands,
her sturdy arms wrapped around it in a protective gesture. Her face, framed by a
white headscarf, is imbued with a calm and resolute seriousness. Dressed in a dark red smock
and a deep green apron, the female figure stands out clearly against a background where
floral elements, hanging wreaths of bread and an oven can be glimpsed. The oven
stands as an authentic symbol of artisanal craftsmanship; its sturdy,
warm structure serving as a reminder not only of the importance of baking in transforming
bread into a culinary work of art, but also of the continuity of a traditional heritage in which
every batch bears the mark of hard work and passion. In contrast, in the foreground,
golden baguettes and loaves, along with a woven basket, are arranged with an
almost sculptural presence. The golden hue of the bread, fresh from the oven, stands out against the dark
and warm colour palette of the setting, evoking the light of dawn and the glow of the bakery.
The beauty of this work lies first and foremost in its visual intensity. The colour contrasts
— from earthy red to dark green, then to the dazzling white of the veil — immediately
catch the eye and guide our interpretation of the scene. The forms are simple and
powerful, almost geometric, reflecting a resolutely modern style. Yet,
behind this stylisation, the artist reveals a profound humanity; the posture of
the vendor, solid and dignified as she goes about her daily work, evokes a
sincere emotion. This painting is unique in the care taken with the material and the sense of volume, which lend
the loaves and the shopwoman’s face a sculptural quality. The loaves seem almost tangible,
almost real, whilst the woman’s somewhat monumental bearing elevates her status
as a working woman. The scene thus becomes a tribute to simple life, to labour and to
staple foods. It is this masterful fusion of the beauty of form, the celebration
of human labour and the warmth of the colours that lends this painting all its grandeur and its
unforgettable character.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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