DÉTAILS DE L'IMAGE

Segoura Fine Art

Georges Jules Victor Clairin (Paris 1843-1919 Clohars-Carnoët)
L'Epave, 1904
Oil on canvas
75.5 x 50.5 cm
Signed lower right and dated on the back
Provenance: private collection, France
Painting donated by the artist at the tombola of the Salon des artistes français in aid of wounded Russians, April 1904

A renowned French painter of the late 19th century, Clairin studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris under the tutelage of great masters, including Alexandre Cabanel. He is particularly famous for his Orientalist works, but he also excelled at creating memorable portraits of celebrities such as Sarah Bernhardt. He also skilfully explored Symbolist subjects, contributing to the enrichment of the art of the period. This work was donated to the 1904 tombola of French artists, in aid of the war wounded. It symbolises the celebration of the strength of the human spirit that can emerge after turmoil. Clarin's painting is an allegory of the Wreck standing proudly, represented by a solitary woman, immovable on her rock in the midst of the whirlwinds of life. In this scene, the woman embodies inner strength and serenity in the face of adversity. She is the essence of survival, a living metaphor for the human capacity to face hardship and persevere, even when all seems lost. The rock on which she sits embodies stability and constancy, an unshakeable anchor in the gentle awakening of the day. This work is an ode to perseverance, undoubtedly reflecting the artist's desire to celebrate the courage and resilience of soldiers.