Alix AYMÉ (1894-1989) Lot n° 30

*Jeune fille aux fleurs Lacquer and gold highlights, signed lower right 48 x 38 cm - 18 7/8 x 14 7/8 in. “These distant countries seem very attractive to me and this journey does not frighten me, yet I am saddened by the idea of leaving an environment that is so sympathetic to me and teachers and comrades to whom I have become sincerely attached.” These words of Alix Aymé could summarize in themselves the feelings emanating from the Portrait de jeune femme aux fleurs. Indeed, this work operates a syncretism between the original training of the artist and Asian influences from the countries that welcomed her. Although done well after her early years of training with Maurice Denis, the teaching of her master is still visible. A leader of the Nabi movement, Denis passed on to his pupil his iconic vision of portraits, particularly during the Sacred Art workshops. Alix Aymé holds on to the one nicknamed «the nabi with the beautiful icons» the gold background that she develops thanks to his use of gold leaf and powder. Represented in bust form, with a dreamy look, the model adopts the codes of the icon portrait. Other underlying influences can be guessed, notably those of Bonnard, «the very Japanese Nabi». The spirit of Japanese prints is found in the background consisting of branches of flowers. The black outline surrounding the colors also evokes the Japanese work that inspired the Nabis and their partitioning. Innovative spirit and great worker, Alix Aymé skillfully mixes Western teaching with Far Eastern techniques to offer a remarkably harmonious lacquered panel.