Pierre Chièze (1929–2011): Rugby ‘The Line-Out,’ Mid-Century French School
£800.00
Description
A dynamic and evocative mid-century oil on board by the French artist Pierre Chièze (1929–2011), depicting a high-energy rugby line-out. Chièze was a master of capturing movement through a unique lens of figurative abstraction, and this work is a quintessential example of his celebrated sporting series.
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Pierre Chièze (1929–2011): Rugby ‘The Line-Out,’ Mid-Century French School
A dynamic and evocative mid-century oil on board by the French artist Pierre Chièze (1929–2011), depicting a high-energy rugby line-out. Chièze was a master of capturing movement through a unique lens of figurative abstraction, and this work is a quintessential example of his celebrated sporting series.
The composition is remarkably fluid, using a bold, gestural palette of primary blues, oranges, and reds to define the soaring players against a muted, atmospheric background. Chièze eschews minute detail in favour of raw kinetic energy; the elongated forms of the athletes, reaching for the ball, create a powerful vertical tension that draws the viewer into the heat of the match. His thick, confident brushwork and use of impasto provide a tactile quality that mirrors the ruggedness of the sport.
Signed clearly ‘chièze’ in the lower left, the painting is housed in a handsome period-style black and gold stepped frame, which provides a striking contrast and elevates the modern aesthetic of the piece. This is an exceptional acquisition for collectors of modern French art or those looking for a sophisticated, contemporary take on sporting heritage.
Pierre Chièze (1929–2011). A French artist active in the latter half of the 20th century, Chièze was known for his broad range of subjects, including abstract landscapes, still lifes, and his highly sought-after sporting scenes—specifically rugby and football.
His work often features at specialist French auctions (such as Rossini in Paris) and is increasingly recognised by British collectors for its vibrant, Modernist appeal. Chièze belonged to a generation of French painters who sought to bridge the gap between pure abstraction and recognizable forms, using colour as a primary vehicle for emotion and action.
This work was acquired from a private collection in the UK, having previously passed through the French art market. It bears the hallmark characteristics of his premier sporting series from the 1960s-70s.
Condition Report
The oil on canvas is in excellent, stable condition. The colours remain remarkably vibrant with no signs of fading or pigment loss. The impasto is intact and robust.
The canvas is flat and secure within its mount, showing no signs of warping or damp damage.
Signed ‘chièze’ in the artist’s characteristic lowercase script in the lower left corner, executed in a deep blue pigment.
The frame is in very good order, with minor, age-appropriate wear to the gilding and black lacquer. It provides a structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing housing for the work.
A gallery-ready piece of mid-century French sporting art.
Measurement
Height: 67 cm / 26.4 inches
Width 51 cm / 20.1 inches
Depth: 4 cm / 1.6 cm
Weight: 2.2 k.g / 4.9 lbs
