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JARED FRENCH AND HIS CIRCLE

American painter Jared French (1905-1988) was part of a group of artists who painted together in a style called ‘Magic Realism’. Based on surreal imagery, Magic Realism focused on traditional painting techniques, including the use of egg tempera which would become the main medium, and figurative art. French’s work has an archaic feeling, full of myth and allegory, and is also inspired by the concepts of Carl Jung’s writings and the idea of the collective unconscious. French met and befriended fellow artist Paul Cadmus in New York City and, together with George Tooker, these three worked over a period of years pursuing the ideas and aesthetics of Magic Realism. French married artist Margaret Hoening in 1937, summering on Fire Island with other artists and a circle of gay literary and artistic figures including Lincoln Kirstein and George Platt Lynes.

The collection of drawings by Jared French in our upcoming June 6th auction reflect the breadth of the artist’s interests and his talent. Portraits, landscapes and studies show the use of the sensual line, dramatic light and the often surrealistic sense of humor that categorized his style. Included in this group are several photographs of French taken by close friend George Platt Lynes (1907-1955). Lynes’ intimate portraits of his friend capture the spirit of this close-knit group and the creative life they shared together.

We will also be offering six more of Jared French’s works in our December Modern Sale.

Further Reading:

book-FrenchMyths-1
Jared French’s Myths (Essential Painting), by Nancy Grimes, hardcover, Oct. 1993.
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