Catherine Tobiasse, "Tobiasse: 50 ans de peinture: Catalogue raisonné de l'oeuvre peint", Milan, 2024, catalogue no. 3651
As a survivor of the Nazi occupation of Paris, Théo Tobiasse explores painful childhood memories through vibrant, joyful works, relying on religious iconography and biblical allusions. His colours are luminous, and his figures not only dominate the composition but are also in a constant state of movement—either dancing, embracing, or wandering. Here, a woman is shown reclining on the knees of a figure wearing a top hat as a smiling figure with undulating black hair cycles across the length of her body. She serves as a visual metaphor for the French title of the work, signifying the woman bearing dreams, thus alluding to her role as a symbol of hope and resilience. The scene is humorous and airy, celebrating a newfound "joie de vivre" in a fusion of red, pink, brown, orange and black shades.
We extend our thanks to Catherine Tobiasse for confirming the authenticity of this work. The work will be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné under the inventory number 3651.
