c. 1926

On the Table

French, 1884 - 1974

In 1925, the French art periodical L'Art vivant invited its readers to list their top ten modern artists. The published results revealed the immense popularity of André Dunoyer de Segonzac during the 1920s, who received far more votes than Picasso, who came fifth in the poll, and Braque, who finished ninth. The aristocratic French painter was the quintessential "return to order" artist, whose still lifes and landscapes were celebrated for their impeccable craftsmanship. On the Table depicts familiar, colorful objects-a woman's hat trimmed with a green ribbon, a parasol, and a basket overflowing with flowers-all suggestive of leisure pursuits in the French countryside on a hot summer's day.