Large Image

Edzard, Dietz, (German/ French 1893-1963)
Sleeping Nude
Framed size is 31 1/2 x 43 1/2 inches
1929


Dietz Edzard was born in Bremen, Germany in 1893, to painters Christine and Gdansk Edzard.

Pursuing his passion for the arts, he moved to Holland and then later to France. He received his formal training form Max Beckmann, a renowned expressionist from the Weimar Academy in Berlin, and then proceeded to travel extensively throughout Germany, Holland, and France. Like so many contemporary artists during this time, Edzard settled in Provence, France for the majority of his painting career. It was here, in 1929, that he first exhibited a variety of his portraits and prints at L'Exposition des peintres-graveurs Contemporains. His work was also well-represented Au Musee du Jeu de Paume in Paris.

Edzard painted in the impressionist style throughout his career. He is best known for his scenes of Parisian life and for his portraits of attractive young women as seen in "Sleeping Nude."

An intimate and rare moment caught in slumber, the female figure is immediately graceful, yet powerful. The curves of the situated model's back are highlighted by the sitter's surroundings. Ensconced in a collection of covers and possibly a pillow, the nude reclines peacefully, without interruption.

The artist has used quick brushstrokes in simple shades of white, blue and red while using a complimentary flesh color to balance the light for the nude.

Muted colors prevail in the artist's palette yet a short, red hair ribbon casually graces the model's neck.

Of Parisian scenes and life, Gerd Muehsam writes, "Edzard has captured in his canvases the charm of the Parisian atmosphere. With the light, vibrant touch of his brush, he produced sparkling, and yet delicate, paintings of beautiful women, dancers and flowers. His brilliant delineations of circus life and the theatre, his spirited portrayals of Parisian café scenes have made him a favorite of art circles in this country and abroad"

"Consciously, (Edzard) turns his back on the experimental art of his contemporaries, opposes all weighting of art with programs and theorems. Deliberately, he avoids the representation of human conflict and inner discords and the chaos and shifting quicksands of modern existence. Instead, he prefers to work along well-defined modes of expression. The line begun in portraits of Velazquez and Goya and continued in the art of Manet and Renoir becomes Edzard's artistic credo."

Artist Dietz Edzard died in 1963.

Solo Exhibitions:

1936 Leicester Gallery, London
1937 Galerie Durand-Ruel, Paris
1952 Tooth Gallery, London
1953 Galerie Petrides, Paris
1954 Galerie Abels, Cologne

Group Exhibitions:

1950 Vigeveno Gallery, Los Angeles
1957 Wally Findlay Gallery, Chicago, NY, Palm Beach
1958 Hammer Gallery, New York
1961 Adams Gallery, London
1971 Works 1917-1963 by Florent Fels

Provenance: Galerie Dominion, Montreal.