Paul Sieffert (1874-1957) - Nu allongé sur le diva

Born in Paris in 1874, Paul Sieffert received instruction from Jean-Léon Gérôme, Gabriel Guay and Albert Maignan at the Beaux-Arts. From 1894 he began to exhibit at the Salon. His large canvases titled "The Shadow of Clytemnestra" and "The Eumenides" earned him great success at the 1898 Salon. This painting would be acquired by the State and is housed at the Museum of the Château de Vitré. In 1902, he won the Prix de Rome with the presentation of "The Resurrection of Jaïre's Daughter", whose chiaroscuro and classical technique recall his academic training. It is probably during his stay at the Villa Medici that he produced his grand realistically inspired painting "I Barcatori", now preserved at the Musée de Pau. Paul Sieffert actively participated in the Société des amis des arts de Bordeaux from 1910 to 1939 and in the Winter Salon from 1910 to 1944. Very active within various artistic circles, he served as secretary hors-concours at the Artistes Français, a member of the committee then of the jury. In 1923, he took part in the creation of the three stained glass windows of the parish church of Saint-Martin in Cognac, by making the cartoons that were executed by the Bordeaux master glazier Marcel Feur. He also illustrated in 1929 the poetry collection of Albert Samain "Aux flancs du vase", then "Polyphème" and the "Poèmes inachevés". From this period, he devoted the majority of his work to the female nude, which continues to contribute to his fame today. Named a knight of the Légion d'Honneur in 1931 and a member of the committee of the Société Libre des Artistes Français, he was awarded the Diploma of Honor at the International Exhibition of Arts and Techniques in Modern Life in 1937. Museums: Musée des Beaux-Arts de Pau; Musée des Beaux-Arts de Vitré; École Nationale des Beaux-Arts, Paris.