'The Market Seller in Nice' by Alfred Salvignol (circa 1950s)

'The Market Seller in Nice', gouache on paper, by Alfred Salvignol (circa 1950s). The role of women as support to their families has been both very important and highly undervalued by small communities in those days. This engaging artwork pays homage to the unsung workers - women - without whom their spouses could not support their families. In this depiction, a sturdily built woman is preparing to sell her wares in the local street market which is so important to the  prosperity of her family. She is probably not far from Nice's Vieux Port. Even as recently as the 1950s, the French towns and villages along the Riviera were working ports as well as tourist destinations. But this painting depicts a world apart from the glamour of the Côte d'Azur. The self-sacrificing labour and skill of the subject captured by the artist makes this a very heartfelt work indeed. The painting is in fair-to-good condition with the white areas of the artwork a stylistic choice. The painting is newly framed and glazed with anti-reflective glass. It is signed by the artist, 'Salvignol' in the lower right hand. Upon request a video of the artwork may be provided.

About the Artist: Alfred Salvignol (1903-1983) was a painter from Nice, France. He was trained at the School of Decorative Arts in Nice, where he studied engraving and lithography. He was influenced by the painters of the School of Nice, such as Yves Klein, Arman and César. In the 1950s, Salvignol created colourful expressionist paintings on mixed media of paper and canvas. In particular, he produced a series of portraits of sailors in the port of Nice, which are highly prized by collectors today.
Salvignol was also active in the Réalité Cobra art movement, founded in 1950, and in the Abstract Art movement, founded in 1952. These movements were characterised by an experimental approach to artistic creation, which opposed academic conventions.

He has exhibited in numerous galleries and museums in France and abroad, notably at the Galerie Forni in Paris, at the Galerie 13 in Nice and at the Krugier Gallery in New York. Salvignol is considered one of the most important artists of the School of Nice. His work is often associated with the Abstract Expressionism movement, although he also explored other styles and techniques during his career.

Dimensions with frame:

H 45 cm / 17.7"

W 38 cm / 15"

Dimensions without frame

H 30 cm / 11.8"

W 23 cm / 9.1"