Katzenstudie - pencil drawing of a cat (fait en captivité le 9.10.1942) D. Allemand (1906- ?) 14½" x 17"

A charming pencil drawing of a cat - or in German a katzenstudie - the note translates that it was drawn in captivity on the 9th of October 1942 - during the Second World War.

Désiré Allemand (1906 – unknown) was born in Salon-de-Provence, commonly known as ‘Salon’. His father, David Allemand was also a painter so Désiré grew up surrounded by artists. He attended the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris and won the first prize of fine arts of Melun. He later became a teacher who enthusiastically encouraged his students. His passion for Provencal villages and landscapes is shared with us through his harmonious works in oil, gouache, and watercolor paintings. He captured the atmospheric luminosity of Provence throughout the seasons – almond blossom in late winter, poppy fields in summer as well as villages with picturesque winding roads, remarkable architectural landmarks, chateaux, and farmhouses. You may recognize villages such as Vaison-la-Romain, La Barben, Eyguières Aurons in his works.