185 - Two Young Girls Receiving First Communion, 1922

Two Young Girls Receiving First Communion, 1922 Black chalk, white chalk, and red chalk on blue-gray paper 48.2 x 32 cm Signed lower right: Mau Denis Preparatory study for the stained-glass window depicting Saint Sédeleube and Saint Clothilde for Saint-Paul Church in Geneva. Maurice Denis created the designs for the stained-glass windows and a large mural for Saint Paul’s Church in Cologny (Geneva) in 1922, which were completed in 1923 This commission was part of a movement to revitalize Catholic sacred art in Geneva Saint Sedeleube, who grew up at the court of Lyon and was later sent to Geneva, is traditionally known for having founded the former Saint-Victor Church in Geneva. Saint Clotilde, Sedeleube’s sister, became queen of the Franks by marrying Clovis, whose baptism she attended in 496. Folds along the edges, one horizontal fold in the center, and another vertical fold Pins holes Water stain in the lower left corner Provenance: Maurice Denis Collection Private collection