La Maternité

This signed portrait of a mother nursing her infant is typical of the French-born artist’s figurative work, undertaken when he made the shift away from Lebanese landscapes in watercolours to the richer, boldly coloured and more sensuous figurative pieces he created, featuring characters reminiscent of Bohemian and Parisian society and Beirut life. The work has an air of serenity about it, with the mother seated, both hands gently supporting the infant, a wistful expression on her face. She is seemingly absorbed in tending to her baby’s primal need for food - a time when bonding often takes place - or is her mind elsewhere? The scene is depicted against an almost incongruous background which reminds us of the transformation in style that the artist underwent, moving from realistic landscapes to his complicated relationship with cubism. Cyr lived in Paris and, later, Beirut, exhibiting extensively in both cities. During his time in Lebanon, he became part of a circle of high- profile artists, while also working in an official advisory capacity and was an influential force amongst the younger generations of artists.