Maurice de VLAMINCK (Paris 1876 - Rueil la Gadelière 1958) View of Valmondois India ink on paper 38 x 46 cm Signed lower right Vlaminck Old handwritten label on the back of the mounting board: Maurice de Vlaminck Rue de village Provenance Sale by Maître Binoche, Palais Galliera, December 1971. An artist with a passionate, rebellious temperament, Maurice de Vlaminck is an emblematic figure on the art scene of the first half of the 20th century, whose paintings continue to fascinate art lovers and collectors. Initially destined for a career in sports, Vlaminck abandoned this path after contracting an illness at the age of 20. He took classes with the painter Robichon, but quickly tired of this academic training. In 1900, he met André Derain by chance on a train, with whom he befriended and took up painting again as a self-taught artist. His works show a predilection for scenes of the surrounding countryside, from peaceful villages to meandering rivers and paths, notably around Chatou and Bougival. A passionate and rebellious spirit, he wrote a few articles for Le Libertaire, and became close to Fauvist artists such as Matisse and Van Gogh, whose use of pure color and chromatic violence he admired, perfectly matching his instincts. It was through these encounters that Vlaminck devoted himself definitively to painting. He developed an energetic style of rapid brushstrokes and vibrant colors that allowed him to express his intense, personal vision of nature. In 1910, Vlaminck encountered the work of Cézanne, which led him to adopt a darker chromatic palette and concentrate more on structure and form. But it was really with the trauma of the First World War that the artist gave up colorful explosions and began painting tormented landscapes and floral compositions in dark tones that reflected the trauma of war. This marked a significant artistic transition. His colors were applied in broad, flat strokes, creating striking contrasts between threatening skies, fields and streets plunged into semi-darkness, and bouquets lit by a cold light against a black background. In this way, his paintings demonstrate a mastery of light and shadow, offering heightened emotional depth. As for his landscapes, his compositions are often structured to guide the eye across the canvas on a diagonal. The overall effect is both intense and harmonious, inviting the viewer to feel the melancholy energy of the scene before him. The paintings featured in our sale testify to Vlaminck's artistic maturation, moving from chromatic boldness to a more subtle exploration of atmosphere and form.