Marcel Dyf was born in Paris on October 7, 1899.
In his youth he showed a marked ability for painting. At the age
of twenty-three he took the step of becoming a professional artist
and devoted himself entirely to painting. He soon became known
not only in France, but also in England, America, Canada, Germany
and Algeria. Among his most successful exhibitions were those
at the famous Petrides Gallery in Paris in 1949, 1951, and 1953.
He was greatly honored in 1950 by being asked to exhibit in the
National Display Gallery at the Carnegie Institute.
Today Dyf has an international reputation. Noted
for his portraits and bouquets of flowers, his inspiration for
many compositions often came from his wife Claudine who posed
for him and allowed him to immortalize the spirit of womanhood.
His pastoral scenes capture French countryside with unique color,
light and vibrancy.
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Le port de La Rochelle
Oil on canvas |
For an artist to be considered an "Impressionist"
in the purest meaning of the word, he must know how to transfer
his personal feelings to the canvas. Through the application of
color, this transference is accomplished. In Dyf's paintings there
is no touching, no re-working. Instead his brushwork is fluid
and "first-time" perfect. One can feel the impact of his colors,
i.e. "feel" the wind in his landscapes, "see" the ripples of waves
in his waterfronts, and "sense" the various textures of the subjects
he paints whether they be trees, human figures, fields of grain
or vibrant flower gardens.
His power of suggestion is strong. He painted
not only a beautiful scene but also gave insight into himself
through his brushwork and use of color. His pleasant looseness
with the brush puts the viewer in a relaxed mood, allowing one
to take time in fully appreciating each painting. A true Impressionist
in every sense of the word, Dyf stands with the masters of his
field. He has influenced numerous artists and has set a standard
for contemporary Impressionists to achieve. His death in 1985
marked the passing of one of the last true Impressionists of our
era.
Museums: Smith College Museum of Art, Northhampton,
MA; Musee Arlaten.
- Bibliography:
- E. Benezit Dictionnaire des Peintres,
Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs et Graveurs.
- Dictionnaire des Petits Maitres de la
Peinture.
Text & Images courtesy of Simic New Renaissance Gallery ™
© 2004 Simic New Renaissance Galleries
