Composition, Motif Decoratif c. 1925 - 1930

Georges Valmier made this painting, Composition, Motif Decoratif, using oil on canvas, and what strikes me is how he builds the image as an interplay between flat shapes and subtle shifts of tone. The painting has this incredible tension between its bold, graphic presence and its delicate, almost hesitant touches. Look at that black square with the target-like concentric circles; it’s like a little world within the larger composition, grounding all the other shapes. The browns and reds are so muted, almost chalky, which gives the whole thing a feeling of being handmade, like a collage. There’s a real sense of balance in how Valmier uses color, and I’m reminded of Juan Gris who shared a similar interest in the interplay between representation and abstraction. Ultimately, it’s a piece that celebrates the joy of seeing and the endless possibilities of paint.