Lush Flowers and Full Figures : Notes on Suzanne Valadon

Sept. 23 is the birthday of an artist who painted strong sensual women and vases of vibrant flowers. And, oh, she modeled a bit too in the Paris of the Belle Époque.

How did artist Suzanne Valadon (1865–1938) bring this painting to life?

Valadon, “Still Life with Tulips and Fruit Bowl,” 1924. Wikimedia copy of image in public domain.

Look how the leaves of the tulips appear almost to be in motion, as does the textile on the right side of the painting.

This is a painting I might chose when playing a favorite game with friends.

On museum visits, we ask each other what work we’d take home if we could. I’d love to have this in my office. I could also happily find a space on the wall for other still life paintings by Valadon, especially others that also incorporate rich textiles.

Valadon, “Nature morte à la draperie et au bouquet,” 1924. Paris, Musée d’Art Moderne. Author photo of painting taken at Barnes Foundation, 2021.

But where Valadon excels is in painting people. These works of hers are often playful, almost always sensual and consistently interesting. Below is a portrait of Mauricia Coquiot, a woman who had been a circus star. In her youth, Valadon wanted to be a famous acrobat until an injury ended her…