Pomone (Mlle Marguerite Grain) - Jean Dupas

A 1923 portrait by Jean Dupas, depicting Marguerite Grain as the Roman goddess Pomona, rendered in the characteristic smooth, stylised aesthetic of the Art Deco period.

Jean Dupas, a central figure in the French Art Deco movement, painted this portrait of Marguerite Grain in 1923. The work captures the aesthetic sensibilities of the interwar period, characterised by a synthesis of classical motifs and modern graphic clarity. Dupas, who trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Bordeaux, developed a distinct visual language that often featured elongated figures and precise, sculptural forms. In this composition, the subject is depicted with the attributes of Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit trees and orchards. The inclusion of apples, grapes, and small birds reinforces this mythological connection. The sitter wears a distinctive headpiece, which mirrors the braided hairstyles popularised during the 1920s. Her features are rendered with a smooth, porcelain-like finish, typical of the artist's approach to portraiture. The background is a muted, cool grey, which allows the warmer tones of the fruit and the subject's complexion to emerge. Dupas was well-known for his work in graphic design and illustration, and this background is evident in the controlled, deliberate application of paint. The composition is balanced, with the subject's hand raised to hold a small flower, creating a gentle diagonal movement across the frame. The work reflects the period's fascination with stylised elegance and the revival of classical themes within a contemporary framework. The precise lines and the deliberate arrangement of elements demonstrate the artist's mastery of form and his ability to integrate decorative motifs into a cohesive portrait. This print offers an opportunity to examine the intersection of fine art and the decorative impulses that defined the Art Deco era.