Jean-Pierre Cassigneul’s 'Femme au bord de la mer' encapsulates the enigmatic beauty and introspective calm that defines much of his oeuvre from the 1960s. Executed in 1968, this oil on canvas (92 x 65 cm) draws the viewer into a moment suspended between stillness and expression, a hallmark of the French painter’s early mature style.

The central figure, composed with Cassigneul’s characteristically elongated proportions and simplified contours, appears statuesque in front of a pastel seascape. The subtle curvature of the shoreline and the gentle arc of a passing sailboat provide context without narrative, framing the solitary woman in a timeless tableau. Her complexion, rendered in green hues, adds a surreal yet quiet intensity, softened by the deep shadow of her voluminous hair. The muted palette of turquoise, ochre, and earth tones evokes a dreamlike setting; distinctive of Cassigneul's post-Impressionist and Nabis-inspired influences.

Cassigneul (b. 1935) rose to prominence in post-war France, developing a figurative language that combined elegance with emotional restraint. In this work, he draws on the legacy of artists such as Édouard Vuillard and Kees van Dongen while carving his own lyrical path.

Signed lower left, 'Cassigneul'

This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist.