Louis TOFFOLI (1907-1999) - Lot 109

Louis TOFFOLI (1907-1999) The blacksmith ferrant 1986 Resin bas-relief with bronze patina, signed lower right. Dimensions: 64.5 x 51 x 3 cm Louis Toffoli, born in 1907 in Trieste (then in Austria-Hungary) and died in 1999 in Paris, was a French painter of Italian-Slovenian origin, famous for his luminous, poetic compositions, in which the softness of form blends with the richness of color. Largely self-taught, he began painting in his teens, influenced by the political upheavals of his time and a deep interest in light, work and everyday life. Settling in France in the 1930s, Toffoli adopted a personal style akin to poetic realism, often described as "figurative lyricism". His work is characterized by a subtle use of transparencies, a warm palette and scenes evoking the world of work, maternity, music and popular traditions. He developed a unique technique of superimposing layers of translucent paint, giving his paintings a singular depth and light. During his career, he received numerous awards, exhibited in France and abroad, and saw his works enter numerous public and private collections. He also produced lithographs, posters and illustrations. Louis Toffoli has created a humanistic, accessible and sensitive universe, in which the beauty of everyday life is sublimated by light. His work, imbued with harmony and serenity, continues to appeal to a wide audience.