Femme au madras à Préfailles

Préfailles was one of Lebasque's favourite summer haunts and in 1922 he spent the summer there. This portrait of Madame Lebasque. the Artist's mother, is indicative of his skill as a portrait painter. At the turn of the century he did portrait commission for several years, but this work seems to have a much softer and calmer approach than earlier portraits whilst retaining the intensity of colour and form. The shawl worn by the artist's mother is particularly rich in colour and is reminiscent of an earlier painting 'On the Balcony' of 1920, also known as 'Jeune fille au chaâle espagnol et petit violinist.' in which the Artist's eldest daughter Marthe is depicted wearing a spanish shawl of deep reds and blues. (ref: Collection Detroit Institue of Arts, City of Detroit Purchase acc. no.21.17).

To be included in the forthcoming supplement to the Henri Lebasque catalogue raisonné currently being prepared by Denise Bazetoux.