Portrait of a young woman (24.75″ x 27.5″) by French artist Maurice Ehlinger.
Maurice Ehlinger (1896-1981) is one of the most undervalued French artists of the 20th Century. More than 40 years after his death, his body of work has still not yet achieved the international notoriety that it so clearly deserves.
Born in Champagney, France in 1896, Maurice Ambroise Ehlinger studied art at the Académie des Beaux-Arts de Paris. As the most prolific painter and sculptor featured in The Michael Aaron Gallagher Fine Art Collection, Maurice Ehlinger painted more than 4,000 exquisite portraits, figurative paintings and landscapes throughout his industrious career. He also participated in the art competition at the 1932 Summer Olympics, which was held in Los Angeles, California. In 1928, he received Honorable Mention at the Salon des Artiste Français. A year later, he received the Second Class Medal and in 1941 he was awarded the Gold Medal for his work. Some of his most esteemed paintings are held in the permanent collections of several French art museums, including the Musée Pierre-Noël de Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, which has more than 300 of his paintings.
Near the end of his life, his son Christian Ehlinger (1931-2021), whose paintings are also a part of The Collection (click here to view), assembled a catalogue raisonné of his father’s works of art, which was published in two volumes. The rare 496-page book titled, Beauté et Vérité, which translated in English means “Beauty and Truth,” not only serves as a colorful showcase of much of Ehlinger’s known pieces, but it also provides more information about the illustrious artist himself. It was authored by Louis Lucien Akan and Gérard Stehlin and was published by La Clairie. It is currently only available in the French language. The followup Beauté et Vérité Volume 2, includes some of the previously unknown oil paintings that were not presented in the first volume.
“Jeune Fille Nue,” oil painting circa 1975 by French artist Maurice Ehlinger.
The first Maurice Ehlinger painting added to The Collection was titled “Jeune Fille Nue” (#3170 circa 1975, Collection Privée). Pictured above, it still holds the record as being the most expensive work of art ever purchased for The Collection. It appears on page 400 of the book Beauté et Vérité. One of the unique features of this particular piece is the presence of an oil painting hanging on the wall in the background of the image. This painting within a painting is an interesting detail that Michael often looks for when adding a new piece to The Collection. It is a feature that is sometimes present in famous works of art, like the masterpiece “Las Meninas” by Diego Velázquez.
Artist Maurice Ehlinger painting in his studio in France. This photo appears on page 487 of the book “Beauté et Vérité.”
The most recent addition to The Collection is the portrait of a young woman, which was acquired from the auction house DuMouchelles (pictured at the top of the page). According to author Gérard Stehlin, the painting is listed as #4191-CA in the pending publication of Volume 3.
Like his contemporary Igor Talwinski (click here to view his work), who is also known for his vibrant, classical depictions of the female form, Ehlinger’s lifelike skin tones and eye for composition drew praise from art collectors and critics alike. Maurice Ehlinger paintings have sold for as much as $6,286 at auction.
In 1981, artist Maurice Ehlinger died at the age of 84 in the town of Belfort, France. His son Christian passed away in 2021 at the age of 90.
To view more original works in The Michael Aaron Gallagher Fine Art Collection click here. For information about works that have been donated to the collection click here.
Maurice Ehlinger Paintings at the Musée Pierre-Noël de Saint-Dié-des-Vosges in France
Maurice Ehlinger’s work on display at the 2019 exhibit at the Musée Pierre-Noël de Saint-Dié-des-Vosges. Photo courtesy of the museum. Copyright © K. Laine, Musée Pierre-Noël, 2019.
Oil paintings and sketches by Maurice Ehlinger on display at the 2019 exhibit of his work at the Musée Pierre-Noël de Saint-Dié-des-Vosges. Photo courtesy of the museum. Copyright © K. Laine, Musée Pierre-Noël, 2019.
A quote by artist Maurice Ehlinger accompanies his oil painting. Taken from his notebook, the phrase translated into English reads, “We must not reproduce what we see but what we feel.” Photo courtesy of the museum. Copyright © K. Laine, Musée Pierre-Noël, 2019.
Maurice Ehlinger paintings on display at the 2019 exhibit at Musée Pierre-Noël de Saint-Dié-des-Vosges. Photo courtesy of the museum. Copyright © K. Laine, Musée Pierre-Noël, 2019.