Sports Art, Skiing, Painting, Les Skieurs, Jean Fous, French, Mid 20th Century

Jean Fous (born 1901)
Les Skieurs
Mid 20th Century
Oil on textured fiberboard
Signed lower left, titled verso
7.5 x 9.5 inches, image
$1,275

Playful scene of skiers on a hill in a mountain village by an artist known for his naive style. The lighthearted group of men, women, and children are on a gentle slope in front of a stone church and pastel-colored houses. It is mounted in an elegant gilded carved wood frame. Jean Fous was a French painter in the naive style, based in Paris. He came to prominence in 1945-46 when he exhibited at the Salon d’Automne and other galleries in Paris. He was known for paintings of scenes of popular traditions such as fairs and village weddings. During his lifetime, the French government acquired paintings of his for the Musée d’Art Moderne and the Musée des Arts et Traditions Populaires.

Condition: Generally very good with the usual light overall toning, handling, wear. Gold frame with red velvet liner very good with light wear and handling. Titled and dated on back, likely in artist’s hand.

Reference:

Bénézit, E. Dictionnaire critique et documentaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs et Graveurs. France: Librairie Gründ, 1966. Vol. 4, p. 34.