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Yvonne Canu Paintings

French, 1921-2007

French artist Yvonne Canu was transfixed by Pointillism, a technique that was pioneered in the 19th century by Georges Seurat, and devoted her career to mastering it. Over half a century after Seurat’s death, Canu gravitated towards French Postimpressionism and was pivotal in carrying Pointillism into the modern era. 

Born in Morocco, Canu studied in Paris at the École des Arts Decoratifs until the start of WWII. Following the war, she met French painter Élisée Maclet and French-Japanese artist Léonard Tsuguharu Foujita who were influential in her exploration of Impressionist art. She also studied Cubism at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière alongside prolific French artist Ossip Zadkine

Seeing Seurat’s masterpiece A Sunday on La Grande Jatte ultimately set Canu on a path to understand the complexities of his practice. She investigated Seurat’s use of complementary color and studied the work of French chemist Michel Eugène Chevreul, who in the 19th century worked as the director of the famous Parisian tapestry factory, Gobelins Manufactory. In her work, she experimented with dabbing colors in such a way as to allow the viewer to perceive the greater tableau from afar.

Through this approach, Canu championed a colorful approach to water scenes including seascapes, harbors and rivers. Critics have drawn comparisons between Canu’s work and other 20th-century French artists who expanded on the innovative artistic ideas established in the 19th century.

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Artist: Yvonne Canu
Vue du Port, St Tropez
By Yvonne Canu
Located in Wiscasett, ME
Oil on canvas, signed lower right. Canvas measurement: 21" x 29" and with frame measures 30" x 39". Provenance: Purchased from Hilde Gerst Gallery in NYC in 1990, Private Collection...
Category

1980s Pointillist Yvonne Canu Paintings

Materials

Oil

Fishing Boats In St. Tropez By Yvonne Canu
By Yvonne Canu
Located in New Orleans, LA
Yvonne Canu 1921-2008 French Fishing Boats in St. Tropez Signed "CANU" on lower right boat Oil on canvas The picturesque French Riviera is presented in French Post-Impressionist ...
Category

20th Century Post-Impressionist Yvonne Canu Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

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St Tropez
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Yvonne Canu paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Yvonne Canu paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Yvonne Canu in oil paint, paint, canvas and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the Post-Impressionist style. Not every interior allows for large Yvonne Canu paintings, so small editions measuring 37 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of H.M. Saffer II, Casey Vogt, and Alexander Fuza. Yvonne Canu paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $17,000 and tops out at $25,534, while the average work can sell for $21,267.

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