20th Century portrait of 'Barbara' signed by the artist Gisèle Belleud [1921-2019], a model and pupil of Pierre Bonnard.

Unframed. Oil on Canvas. Circa 1973.

About the Artist: Gisèle Belleud was a French painter and lithographer.

Her life was marked by the ties she forged with Pierre Bonnard when she was just 16 years old.

From 1938 to 1947, she met Bonnard almost daily. She was not only his last model and confidante but also his pupil.

Gisèle was 26 years old when Bonnard died.

She went on to create original and personal work, using her mentor's lessons, marked by subtle colours.

Although a talented landscape artist, she made women her main subject and inspiration of her portraits.

Gisèle Belleud died in November 2019, after celebrating her 98th birthday.