Femme et Fleurs (Portrait of Hérmine David)

During his life, Pascin refused to be labeled as part of any artistic movement and consequently incorporated within his works several different styles such as expressionism and cubism. Femme et Fleurs, a portrait of his wife Hermine David, demonstrates this amalgamation of techniques; the artist has reduced forms to simplified shapes, while simultaneously imbuing the work with emotional qualities. Hermine was an artist herself, mostly noted for her watercolor landscapes and drypoint etchings. She met her future husband in 1907 when paying a visit to Pascin's apartment to show off her 18th century style miniatures painted on ivory. The two began a romance and a traveled extensively together; Hermine would eventually join Pascin in his American sojourn.