Luca: Elegant Cubist Tree Study, Ca 1940 French Prix De Rome Modernist

Pierre Robert Lucas, born in a Dordogne village in 1913, arrived in Paris in 1932 to study at the Ecole Nationale des Beaux-Art with Andr Devambez

In 1937,he obtained the prestigious "Prix de Rome", awarded to the most promising young artist. It gave him a stipend to spend a year at the Villa Medicis, where he italicised his name and began to sign "Luca". During his time in Italy, he travelled widely, notably to Venice, Rome and Assisi.

After his year in Italy, Lucas would settle in Paris, and exhibit extensively.

He did not cease to obtain prizes for his work: the Marie Bashkirseff Prize, the silver medal of the Salon des Artistes Francais, and an Hors Concours at the International Exhibition.

The study of trees presented here dates from the 1940s, when the artist's style turned towards cubism.

Measuring 32 x 42 cm at sight, the overall size in a more recent frame is 45 x 55 cm.

Please request our Skippings Fine Arts Newletter No. 9 if you wish to see further works by the artist!