Raw Brush
Large French Vanitas Still Life Vintage Oil on Canvas (31.5″ × 38.6″)
Large French Vanitas Still Life Vintage Oil on Canvas (31.5″ × 38.6″)
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A striking French still life painted in the mid-1960s, this large oil on canvas reimagines the classical theme of Vanitas through a modern sensibility. On a red-and-white patterned tablecloth rests a skull, surrounded by everyday objects: a teapot, a vase of flowers, a floor lamp, the outline of a bed. The scene recalls the solemnity of the Old Masters while grounded in the quiet domestic world of the 20th century.
Thick, textured brushstrokes lend the objects weight and presence. The palette, warm yet subdued, softens the symbolism and makes the composition contemplative rather than severe. It is a painting that feels reflective, almost meditative—acknowledging life’s transience while celebrating the stillness of ordinary surroundings.
Painted in France around 1965 by Michel Bertrand, an artist collected by major French museums, this large still life reinterprets the classical theme of Vanitas with a distinctly modern voice. The work remained in the artist’s studio collection until its recent sale in Lyon. Bertrand’s career is well established within the history of French modern art: his paintings entered national and regional public collections in the early 1980s, and this very piece is illustrated as entry number 21 in the monograph Michel Bertrand – Le geste, le dessin et l’écriture (Bernard Gouttenoire, Montchalin Editions, 2015).
Why We Love It
This painting balances symbolic gravity with a quiet domestic poetry. The skull, emblem of mortality, is set against humble furnishings, which makes its message intimate rather than distant. The surface is richly textured, the mood serene, the scale commanding. It is a work that bridges centuries of European tradition, yet feels timeless in its presence.
Key Features:
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Medium: Oil on canvas, mounted on plywood
- Date: circa 1965
- Dimensions: 31.5″ × 38.6″
- Condition: Excellent condition. Please see photos for details.
- Provenance: From the artist’s studio, kept in the family until its recent sale in Lyon
DELIVERY & RETURNS
DELIVERY & RETURNS
✈️ Shipping & Delivery
Painting will be shipped from France. We offer free international shipping to the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and affordable rates to the rest of the world. All items are insured and carefully packaged to ensure they arrive safely. Delivery typically takes 5–15 business days, depending on your location.
🇺🇸 U.S. customers: All of our pieces--vintage and antique (100+ years old) original paintings--are exempt from import duties and tariffs. As of October 2025, this remains true. We provide the correct documentation to ensure your order clears customs smoothly.
🇬🇧 UK customers: Antique artworks are duty-free and qualify for a reduced 5% VAT at import, not the full rate.
🌍 Customers in other countries: Duties and taxes vary, but original and antique artworks often qualify for reduced or zero import fees. Please check with your local customs office for details. We’re happy to assist and provide any documentation you may need.
If you have questions about shipping or customs, please don’t hesitate to message us at hellorawbrush@gmail.com, we’re here to help.
Most of our paintings will be shipped straight from France unless specified otherwise. While we aim to send them your way as quickly as possible, very occasional delays may occur, as some of our beloved French partners have a certain je ne sais quoi and like to take their time preparing the paintings. You can’t rush good things in life, after all—and we’re talking about French antique and vintage paintings here 🇫🇷
Return
We accept returns within 7 days of delivery.
We want you to be obsessed with your new painting. If it doesn’t feel right in your space, you may request a return within 7 days of delivery, as long as it’s returned in the same condition and original packaging. Return shipping is covered by the customer, and the artwork must be packed with great care; damage incurred during return transit may result in a reduced or declined refund. More details HERE
Gift cards are nonrefundable.
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