Jean Jansem: five new lithographs between Venice and female figures
Five new original lithographs by Jean Jansem have just joined Galerie125. Created in 1966 and 1967, they immerse us in two universes particularly representative of the artist's work: delicate and melancholic female silhouettes, and Venetian landscapes bathed in light.
A very homogeneous selection despite the diversity of subjects, in which we immediately recognize the sensitive drawing, slender characters, and subtle colors that characterize Jean Jansem's work.
Jean Jansem and the female figure
Women play an important role in Jean Jansem's work. His models are rarely depicted in theatrical poses. Instead, they appear in simple, almost silent moments.
In "Woman from the back," the seated silhouette stands out against a background with warm tones. The face completely disappears, leaving the drawing of the body and the model's posture to convey the emotion.
"The woman with laundry," created in 1966, offers a more vertical composition. The finesse of the lines contrasts with the ochre and beige shades that occupy a large part of the image. With very few elements, Jansem manages to give a true presence to his character.
Venice through the eyes of Jean Jansem
The other three lithographs take us to Venice. But rather than depicting a spectacular or monumental Venice, Jean Jansem is interested in its atmosphere, its quays, its lagoon, and the silhouettes that populate the city.
"The quays" - 1966
In "The quays," a few characters and a gondola appear in front of facades bathed in orange tones. The forms sometimes seem to dissolve into the color, giving the scene an impression of a memory or a moment captured in the moment.
"The red wall" - 1967
With "The red wall," the architecture becomes almost abstract. A large facade in red and orange shades occupies most of the composition, while water and some architectural elements help to evoke the Venetian atmosphere.
This work is particularly interesting for the way Jansem uses color: the landscape remains identifiable, but the ambiance gradually takes precedence over the representation.
"The lagoon" - 1967
"The lagoon" is probably the most minimalist of the three. An immense expanse of green and blue dominates the composition. At the bottom, a few figures stand on a pontoon facing the water.
The contrast between the vastness of the landscape and the smallness of the silhouettes creates a calm and almost contemplative atmosphere.
Five lithographs created in 1966 and 1967
These five works also have the interest of having been created over a very short period. They allow us to observe how Jean Jansem deals, at the same time, with two completely different subjects.
On one hand, the body and the human figure are drawn with finesse and fragility. On the other hand, Venice becomes a testing ground for light and color.
In both cases, we find the same economy of means and sensitivity that make his work immediately recognizable.
New original lithographs by Jean Jansem at Galerie 125
"Woman from behind", "The woman with laundry", "The docks", "The red wall" and "The lagoon" enrich our selection of Jean Jansem's works.
These five original lithographs are artist's proofs signed in pencil by Jean Jansem, with different editions depending on the works.