Ethereal original lithograph by French artist Francis de Lassus Saint-Génies (1925–2018), signed EA, depicting a symbolic female figure rendered in fluid aquamarine tones—an evocative example of mid-century European figurative surrealism.
This original lithograph presents a haunting, poetic female visage emerging from swirling currents of wind or water, her finger raised to her lips in a universal gesture of silence. Executed in muted aquas, soft greens, warm ochres, and smoky graphite lines, the composition demonstrates Saint-Génies’ mastery of expressive line and atmospheric movement.
The image blends figurative realism with surreal symbolism: the hair dissolves into rhythmic, wave-like forms while the face remains calm, introspective, and slightly otherworldly. Fine calligraphic marks and layered tonal washes suggest the lithographic stone was worked with both precision and spontaneity, allowing subtle textures and emotional nuance to surface.
The print is hand-signed “Saint-Génies” in pencil at the lower right, with “EA” (Épreuve d’Artiste / Artist’s Proof)clearly visible at lower left. Artist’s proofs are especially valued by collectors, as they are pulled outside the standard numbered edition and often closest to the artist’s intended tonal balance. The work dates stylistically to the late 1960s–1970s, a mature period for the artist when symbolic portraiture dominated his print output.
Francis de Lassus Saint-Génies was born in 1925 in Val-André, Brittany, France, a coastal region whose atmosphere and mythology would subtly inform the poetic tone of his work throughout his career. He pursued formal artistic training at the Académie Julian in Paris, an institution renowned for blending academic rigor with modern experimentation.
Saint-Génies developed a career centered on figurative painting and original printmaking, particularly lithography. His work is characterized by lyrical line, restrained palettes, and symbolic imagery—often focusing on women, introspective figures, and dreamlike psychological states. While grounded in classical draftsmanship, his compositions frequently drift into surreal or allegorical territory.
Throughout the mid-20th century, Saint-Génies exhibited widely across France and Europe, with his lithographs circulating through galleries in France, Switzerland, Sweden, Holland, and later the United States, including New York. His prints appealed to collectors seeking refined European figurative art that bridged tradition and modernism without abandoning emotional depth.
Though not aggressively commercial, his work has maintained a steady presence in international auctions and private collections. Saint-Génies continued working well into later life and passed away in 2018, leaving behind a body of work appreciated for its quiet intensity, technical elegance, and poetic restraint.
Francis de Lassus Saint-Génies (1925–2018), Untitled (Whispering Figure), c.1970s, original lithograph, signed & numbered EA, 13×18 in; expressive French figurative surrealism.
This certifies that the accompanying artwork is an original lithograph by Francis de Lassus Saint-Génies (1925–2018). The work is hand-signed in pencil and marked EA (Épreuve d’Artiste), consistent with authenticated examples of the artist’s prints from the 1960s–1970s. Medium, signature placement, paper quality, stylistic elements, and edition marking align with known works by the artist. Valuation is based on comparable gallery and auction results.
Artist’s studio, France → European private collection(s) → Mitch Morse Gallery, New York, USA & Europe → Artfind Gallery, Washington DC (current owner)
Ethereal original lithograph by French artist Francis de Lassus Saint-Génies (1925–2018), signed EA, depicting a symbolic female figure rendered in fluid aquamarine tones—an evocative example of mid-century European figurative surrealism.
This original lithograph presents a haunting, poetic female visage emerging from swirling currents of wind or water, her finger raised to her lips in a universal gesture of silence. Executed in muted aquas, soft greens, warm ochres, and smoky graphite lines, the composition demonstrates Saint-Génies’ mastery of expressive line and atmospheric movement.
The image blends figurative realism with surreal symbolism: the hair dissolves into rhythmic, wave-like forms while the face remains calm, introspective, and slightly otherworldly. Fine calligraphic marks and layered tonal washes suggest the lithographic stone was worked with both precision and spontaneity, allowing subtle textures and emotional nuance to surface.
The print is hand-signed “Saint-Génies” in pencil at the lower right, with “EA” (Épreuve d’Artiste / Artist’s Proof)clearly visible at lower left. Artist’s proofs are especially valued by collectors, as they are pulled outside the standard numbered edition and often closest to the artist’s intended tonal balance. The work dates stylistically to the late 1960s–1970s, a mature period for the artist when symbolic portraiture dominated his print output.
Francis de Lassus Saint-Génies was born in 1925 in Val-André, Brittany, France, a coastal region whose atmosphere and mythology would subtly inform the poetic tone of his work throughout his career. He pursued formal artistic training at the Académie Julian in Paris, an institution renowned for blending academic rigor with modern experimentation.
Saint-Génies developed a career centered on figurative painting and original printmaking, particularly lithography. His work is characterized by lyrical line, restrained palettes, and symbolic imagery—often focusing on women, introspective figures, and dreamlike psychological states. While grounded in classical draftsmanship, his compositions frequently drift into surreal or allegorical territory.
Throughout the mid-20th century, Saint-Génies exhibited widely across France and Europe, with his lithographs circulating through galleries in France, Switzerland, Sweden, Holland, and later the United States, including New York. His prints appealed to collectors seeking refined European figurative art that bridged tradition and modernism without abandoning emotional depth.
Though not aggressively commercial, his work has maintained a steady presence in international auctions and private collections. Saint-Génies continued working well into later life and passed away in 2018, leaving behind a body of work appreciated for its quiet intensity, technical elegance, and poetic restraint.
Francis de Lassus Saint-Génies (1925–2018), Untitled (Whispering Figure), c.1970s, original lithograph, signed & numbered EA, 13×18 in; expressive French figurative surrealism.
This certifies that the accompanying artwork is an original lithograph by Francis de Lassus Saint-Génies (1925–2018). The work is hand-signed in pencil and marked EA (Épreuve d’Artiste), consistent with authenticated examples of the artist’s prints from the 1960s–1970s. Medium, signature placement, paper quality, stylistic elements, and edition marking align with known works by the artist. Valuation is based on comparable gallery and auction results.
Artist’s studio, France → European private collection(s) → Mitch Morse Gallery, New York, USA & Europe → Artfind Gallery, Washington DC (current owner)
