Signed upper right.
Sizes:
Frame: 41 × 34.5 cm | 16.1 × 13.6 in
Artwork: 27.5 × 21.5 cm | 10.8 × 8.5 in
Jules Pascin, the “Prince of Montparnasse,” captures in this intimate drawing a moment of silent coordination—two figures caught mid-motion, their forms dynamically entwined by the diagonal thrust of fluttering flags. The economy of line, the confident use of negative space, and the subtle shift in pressure suggest both spontaneity and control—a hallmark of Pascin’s graphic style.
Though unassuming at first glance, the iconography of flags and bowed postures invites a reading beyond the formal. Drawn in the interwar years, this composition may allude to the fragile politics of allegiance and identity. Pascin’s status as an émigré and satirical observer of human character subtly permeates the scene.
The drawing bears the artist’s signature and verso inscriptions, including numeric cataloging and pricing notations, reinforcing its traceable history. Labels suggest its inclusion in a mid-century European collection, possibly linked to a German auction or institution.
Pascin’s drawings—though deeply personal—remain resonant for modern audiences. Held in the collections of MoMA, Centre Pompidou, and the Albertina, his works on paper are coveted for their wit, intimacy, and formal brilliance. Two Figures with Flags stands as a rare example combining figuration, symbolism, and documentation.
Clars Auctions,
Furniture, Art, & Asian Auction | May 18, Lot 4307.
Private collection, Europe.
Gallery label (Galerie J. Le Chapelin, Paris) and Christie’s label affixed verso.
Good vintage condition with some signs of wear. Framed.
Jules Pascin, born Julius Mordecai Pincas in Bulgaria, was a French painter and illustrator celebrated for his sensual drawings, bohemian lifestyle, and role in the Montparnasse art scene of early 20th-century Paris. After studying art in Vienna and Munich, Pascin moved to Paris in 1905, where he became associated with the School of Paris and gained recognition for his fluid line work, psychological depth, and empathetic depictions of women.
Though known for his light touch and delicate nudes, Pascin’s work often conveyed deeper emotional and existential undertones. His travels to the American South, Cuba, and North Africa enriched his visual vocabulary, while his personal struggles with identity and depression marked his later years. Today, his works are held in major museum collections, including MoMA and Centre Pompidou, reflecting his lasting contribution to modern art and figurative expression.
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