(Strasbourg 1929–2008 Mougins)

Massif de fleurs.

Oil on canvas.

Signed lower centre: Mühl, as well as titled and described on the reverse: Massif de fleurs EA 36.

130 x 160 cm.

Provenance:
- Galerie Art "CM" Claes Sivertzen + Max Kehl, Zollikon.
- Purchased from the above by the present owner in 1994, since then private collection Switzerland.

“Light is my passion” declared Roger Mühl in reference to his painting, and thereby established a link with the plein air painters of the end of the 19th century, who had preceded him. Barely five decades later, the palette of pastel tones used by this artist born in 1929 in Strasburg, is indeed reminiscent of the atmospheric, serene Impressionist subjects. At the same time, the geometric structures of his interiors and landscapes also point to the formal influence of the Cubists. The works “Massif de fleurs”, “Le tilleul” (Lot 3448) and “Interieur bleu” (Lot 3447) are examples of Roger Mühl looking back to the transformational character of an avantgarde established long ago. His individual artistic expression lies, however, in the ability to combine those inherited influences anew, so that his impastoed colour fields produce both reduced forms and a charged atmosphere.

Roger Mühl attended the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs in Strasbourg. His works were shown in the Galerie de Paris in 1960 and he was represented by the renowned art dealer David Findlay, which brought him international recognition and further exhibitions, for example in London, New York and Tokyo. Alongside painting and sculpture, he also made site specific works, such as church frescoes and windows in Mühlhausen, Illhaeusern, Ittenheim, Ostheim, and Mittelwihr. Despite being well known internationally, Roger Mühl preferred to base his work and home life in the South of France, where he was laid to rest in 2008.