Grasse

20th-century French oil painting on wood panel signed Charles Martin-Sauvaigo (1881-1970) in the bottom left. The artwork also features the studio stamp and the artist signature on the reverse, in addition to the location, "Near Grasse," and the creation year, 1932.

A luminous view of Provence, painted in 1932 near Grasse—the famed perfume capital of France. This evocative composition captures a sunlit village, its red-tiled rooftops forming a warm mosaic of color against the lush green landscape. In the distance, soft-hued mountains rise beneath a sky tinged with delicate pink undertones, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

Martin-Sauvaigo masterfully balances warmth and light, allowing the earthy tones of the village to contrast gently with the hazy, sun-drenched horizon. For those who have wandered through Provence in summer, this piece feels instantly familiar—an invitation to relive the region’s golden glow. It is a love letter to the land the artist called home, imbued with a sense of place and nostalgia.

About Charles Martin-Sauvaigo  (1881-1970):

Born on February 7, 1881, in Carras, a district of Nice, Charles Martin-Sauvaigo grew up in a family of farmers. His talent was recognized early by Félix Ziem, a key figure of the Barbizon School and a friend of Chopin and Rodin, who encouraged him to pursue an artistic career.

Trained under Alexis Mossa, he later joined the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he quickly distinguished himself by winning several competitions. His first official commissions came from the Prefecture of Alpes-Maritimes and the Nice Chamber of Commerce.

At just 24, he exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Français, earning multiple awards, including a gold medal in 1937. In 1922, he was appointed Official Painter of the French Navy, a role that allowed him to travel extensively and explore new artistic perspectives. His career was marked by prestigious commissions, including a vast 400-square-meter diorama for the Côte d’Azur Pavilion at the 1937 Paris Exposition Universelle, as well as paintings for luxury ocean liners such as the SS Île de France.

Despite his many travels, Martin-Sauvaigo remained deeply connected to his homeland. He captured the harbors, landscapes, and rural scenes of the Niçois region and Provence, masterfully portraying the region’s distinctive light with a colorful yet subtle palette. His painting La Provence - Moulin de Daudet, an homage to the writer Alphonse Daudet, was exhibited at the 1939 New York World’s Fair.

Throughout his life, he actively advocated for artists’ recognition and was inducted into the Académie de Marine. He received the vermeil medal from the city of Paris and, in 1929, was named an Officer of the Légion d’Honneur.

Charles Martin-Sauvaigo passed away on November 9, 1970, in Paris. The city of Nice honored his legacy by naming an alley in his birthplace after him. Today, some of his paintings are preserved in the Musée Masséna in Nice and the Musée d’Art Moderne in Paris.

• Overall Size: 15.3" x 19.2" / 39cm x 49cm.
• Size without the frame: 11.4" x 15.7" / 29.5cm x 40cm.
• Country: France.
  
• Signed: Signed "Martin-Sauvaigo" in the lower left in addition to the studio stamp and the artist signature on the reverse.
• Date: 1932. 
• Condition: The work is in very good condition despite a small impact on the upper right angle. The frame has some gaps but its overall condition is also very good. 
• Materials: Oil painting on wood panel with a more modern wooden light frame. 
• Shipping: This painting includes free shipping. An additional fee is applied for Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.