Anna Costa

Villagers Resting in the Shade

circa 1950s

'Characters in a Surrealist Landscape', oil on canvas, by Lucien Coutaud (1931). A couple entwine with the male character seemingly in grief, the female not returning with a comforting embrace. In the distant landscape a sole character meanders. This painting seems to be a creation of the artist's dreams, perhaps reflecting events in his personal life. It seems there is a relationship problem. In the world of Surrealists, there is a focus on the unconscious mind through Freudian methods of free association, trance-like states or dreams. Some Surrealists practiced psychic 'automatism' which was automatic writing or drawing, turning off the conscious mind and producing streams of words or images directly from the unconscious. In unlocking the unconscious in this way, Surrealism was individually expressed (Ref. 'The Short Story of Art...

'Landscape with Two Bathers', oil on panel, by Guillaume Dulac (circa 1920s). Dulac's oils and drawings manifest an elegant classicism with an immediately identifiable style. It is these qualities which are so attractive both aesthetically and in the context as an investment in fine art. Our gallery holds virtually the entire remaining collection of Guillaume Dulac's sketches and memorabilia with impeccable provenance. In this acquisition of a Dulac oil painting, one finds a depiction of two women, one of them in the nude, seated on the edge of a bathing pool. The other is peacefully seated on a comfortable boulder stone...

'The Valley in Biot Côtes d'Azur', oil on canvas, by Lucien Martial (circa 1960s). This village perched up high dates to 154 BC and overlooks hills cove...

'Still Life with White Pitcher and Fruit', oil on board, by Anna Costa (circa 1960s). In addition to her many landscapes, Costa painted many still lifes, mostly bouquets of flowers a...