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 was acquired by the State and is located at the Museum of the Château de Vitré.

In 1902, he won the Prix de Rome with the presentation of "The Resurrection of Jair’s Daughter", whose chiaroscuro and classical technique recall his academic training. It is probably during his stay at the Villa Medici that he created his large realist-inspired painting "I Barcatori", today kept at the Museum of Pau.

Paul Sieffert actively participated in the Société des Amis des Arts de Bordeaux from 1910 to 1939 and in the Salon d’Hiver from 1910 to 1944. Very active within various artistic circles, he served as hors-concours secretary at the Artists Français, and was a member of the committee and then of the jury.

In 1923, he contributed to the design of the three stained-glass windows of the parish church Saint-Martin in Cognac, by realizing the cartoons which were executed by the Bordeaux master glassmaker Marcel Feur. He also illustrated in 1929 the poetry collection by Albert Samain "Aux flancs du vase", then "Polyphème" and the "Poèmes inachevés".

From this period, he devoted the majority of his oeuvre to the female nude, which today still contributes to his notoriety.

Named chevalier 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