Known for his pastoral landscapes, still-life paintings of flower bouquets, and portraits — notably of his wife, Claudine — French painter Marcel Dyf is widely regarded as one of the last of the true Impressionists. His mastery of composition and use of soft colors influenced many artists, setting the standard for 20th-century Post-Impressionism.
Dyf was born Marcel Dreyfus in 1899 in Paris. As a child, he displayed artistic talent but briefly considered a career as an engineer before becoming a professional painter at 23, influenced by the likes of Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Rembrandt van Rijn and Johannes Vermeer.
In 1922, Dyf set up a studio in Arles and initially painted landscapes, capturing scenes of the surrounding countryside in oil on canvas. He produced many landscapes depicting Provence, Brittany, Normandy and locales further afield such as Venice, Morocco and Israel.
It wasn’t long before Dyf’s works caught the eye of art dealers and collectors, and he was urged to exhibit in Paris at the Salon des Artistes Français, the Salon d’Automne and the Tuileries.
In 1935, he moved from Arles to Paris and, at the outbreak of World War II, joined the French Resistance. Following the war, during the 1950s, he met 19-year-old model Claudine Godat, who — despite their 36-year age difference — became his wife, muse and subject for many of his most well-known portraits. These include Claudine Songeuse, Claudine and the Red Rose and Claudine with Flowers.
Over the course of his career, Dyf created a substantial body of work — he made landscape paintings, portraits and figurative works. He also painted frescoes in the Museon Arlaten in Arles and produced decorative pieces in the town halls of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and St-Martin-de-Crau.
Following his death in 1985, Dyf’s paintings continued to be featured in numerous exhibitions. The General Council of Bouches-du-Rhône staged a retrospective of his early works in 1995. Four years later, a show that marked what would have been his 100th birthday was held at the L’Espace Dyf in Bois-d’Arcy.
Today, Dyf’s paintings and prints are highly sought by dealers and collectors of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art.
Find original Marcel Dyf paintings and wall decorations on 1stDibs.
$3,400
H 17.5 in W 21.5 in
Reclining Nude, American Realist Oil Painting by Julian Ritter
By Julian Ritter
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Julian Ritter, Polish-German/American (1909 - 2000) Title: Reclining Nude Year: circa 1955 Medium: Oil on Masonite Size: 14 x 18 in. (35.56 x 45.72 cm) Frame Size: 17.5 x...
Masonite, Oil
Reclining Nude Figure in Oil on Linen
By David Hunt
Located in Soquel, CA
Reclining Nude Figure in Oil on Linen This original painting is a beautifully depicted nude figure study in a cozy interior space with southwest elements by San Jose, California art...
Linen, Oil
$1,837Sale Price|25% Off
H 18 in W 21.5 in D 53 in
Impressionist Reclining Nude laying on a bed
By Albert de Belleroche
Located in Woodbury, CT
Count Albert de BELLEROCHE 1864–1944 Painter of portraits and genre, and lithographer; influenced by Impressionism. Born 22 October 1864 in Swansea, of Huguenot descent. Brought up b...
Oil
$2,000
H 12.5 in W 14 in D 2 in
"Reclining Nude" Impressionist Interior Female Figure Oil Painting Framed
By Maryse Ducaire Roque
Located in New York, NY
A Mid-20th Century charming oil painting depicting a reclining nude in a whimsical interior scene. Ducaire was known for her charming intimate figurative scenes portraying female nud...
Canvas, Oil
$1,164
H 20.5 in W 27 in D 1 in
French Reclining Nude in Dreamlike Light Radiant Serenity Framed Oil Painting
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Nude in Dreamlike Light French School, second half 20th century signed oil on canvas, framed Framed: 20.5 x 27 inches Canvas: 15 x 22 inches Provenance: private collection, France Co...
Oil
$12,000
H 33 in W 55 in D 1 in
Resting Nude, Large Modern Oil Painting by Jan De Ruth
By Jan De Ruth
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Jan De Ruth, Czech (1922 - 1991) Title: Resting Year: circa 1965 Medium: Oil on Canvas, signed l.r. Size: 26 x 48 in. (66.04 x 121.92 cm) Frame Size: 33 x 55 inches
Canvas, Oil
Reclining Nude Oil on Canvas, Hungarian, Circa 1920s, Inscribed
By Istvan Szonyi
Located in Houston, TX
Hungarian Artist (1894-1960) "Reclining Nude", circa 1920s Measures: 19.5" H x 23.5" W, overall size is 28" x 32.5" Oil on canvas, inscribed lower right "Somody baratomnak szere...
Canvas
$6,739
H 20.48 in W 29.53 in D 1.97 in
American Oil painting on Canvas, a reclining odalisque Nude by Frederick Vezin
By Frederick Vezin
Located in Gavere, BE
Oil painting on Canvas, a reclining odalisque Nude 20Th Additional Info: Title: reclining odalisque nude Medium: original oil on canvas Signature: Signed lower right Provenance: pr...
Gold Leaf
$5,754
H 32 in W 37 in D 4 in
A Reclining Nude, Impressionist Oil on Canvas, Signed 1962, Framed
Located in St. Albans, GB
Rene Caty French Impressionist Exhibited at the Medici Society, London Oil on canvas Signed and dated Rene Caty 1962 bottom right. 23.5 x 27.75" (60 x 70cm) 32 x 36.25" (82 x 92cm) Perhaps Rene Caty's finest work of art with loose brush strokes and wonderful highlights depicting a beautiful red headed girl...
Oil
$7,500
H 21.5 in W 18.125 in
MARCEL DYF Femme à sa Toilette, Modern Oil Painting, Framed, Mid-20th Century
By Marcel Dyf
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
H 30.25 x W 26.75 x D 2 in. (framed) Signed lower right: “DYF” Dyf Archives ID No. 2063 Provenance Christie’s East, New York, Modern Paintings, Drawings & Sculptures, November 10, 1992, lot 60 as Nu à sa toilette. Private collection Private collection, New York (Purchased from above) This item is in our New York City warehouse and can be viewed by appointment. Marcel Dyf’s 1950 oil painting...
Oil, Canvas
William Crosbie, Reclining nude, Scottish Modernist oil
By William Crosbie
Located in Harkstead, GB
A very stylish image of a reclining nude in an elegant interior. Beautiful palette. William Crosbie (1915-1999) Reclining nude Signed and dated "XCI" (91) Oil on board 8½ x 20 inche...
Oil, Wood Panel
Follower of Roderic O'Connor, Female nude in an interior, large oil painting
By Roderic O'Conor
Located in Harkstead, GB
A very striking and stylishly painted oil of a shapely nude reclining on a draped sofa, dating from the early to mid 20th century . This large scale oil is presented in an attractive...
Canvas, Oil
Early 20th century Art Deco Male nude oil painting of Narcissus
By George Frederick Hinchcliff
Located in Harkstead, GB
An incredibly striking study of the male form with the figure set against a colourful background with stylised organic forms. Attractively framed, the painting is ready to be hung an...
Canvas, Oil
Geoffrey Chatten, Impressionist plein air study, Beach scene, oil painting
Located in Harkstead, GB
A wonderful snapshot of a Norfolk summer. Geoffrey Chatten ( born 1942) A Norfolk beach scene Signed Oil on canvas 10 x 12 inches excluding the frame 17 x 19 with the frame Born ...
Oil, Canvas
Study of a Nude, Sanguine Chalk on Paper, Framed, Mid-20th Century
By Frank Dobson
Located in Harkstead, GB
Frank Dobson (1888-1963) Study of a nude viewed from behind Signed Sanguine chalk on paper 10 x 13½ inches 21¼ x 24¼ inches with frame A wonderful exam...
Paper, Chalk
George Boyle Impressionist oil painting, Barbizon School, figure by the woods
Located in Harkstead, GB
A superb example of a Barbizon inspired landscape painted by George Boyle, "the Catford Corot" from the late 19th Century. This very striking image shows the artist at the absolute ...
Oil, Panel
