The Joy of Animal, Birds & Flowers

By Marsi Foundation

Marsi Foundation

"Beauty & Ugliness: Aesthetic of Marsi" exhibition: Room 2 - Beauty (21th Century) by Marsi FoundationMarsi Foundation

The Beauty in the world of Marsi

Beauty in Marsi’s paintings represents the aesthetic happiness of life and the joy of animals, birds and flowers.

Baigneuse 2 (20th Century) by MarsiMarsi Foundation

Baigneuse 2 (1985)

34 x 26 cm.
Oil on canvas
Annot, France

This painting follows another painting in the series, Baigneuse 1. It depicts a bathing scene of human-animal creatures, the artist’s favorite characters.

This composition was designed to create movement in the painting from the direction of the bird’s head, starting from the bottom left of the painting ...

... to the upper right.

Le Vase Baroque by MarsiMarsi Foundation

Le Vase Baroque (undated)

92 x 74 cm.
Oil on canvas
Annot, France

The sophisticated and harmonious combination of the blooming flowers makes the gentle bouquet vibrant amidst the dark background.

Perrofleur Pequet (21th Century) by MarsiMarsi Foundation

Perrofleur Pequet (2004)

35 x 27 cm.
Oil on canvas
Annot, France

This is a painting of Marsi’s Macaw bird, Pequet. The concept of incorporating various kinds of flowers into a shape of parrot was inspired by the famous paintings of Giuseppe Arcimboldo in Renaissance period.

At first glance, the parrot’s eye in the painting might look like an ordinary bird’s eyes. But if you look closely, you will see a small white daisy with a miniature yellow insect inside.

Quin-quin, Péque, Pinky, Loulou, Poupou (21th Century) by MarsiMarsi Foundation

Quin-quin, Péque, Pinky, Loulou, Poupou (2005)

116 x 89 cm.
Oil on canvas
Annot, France

Marsi has incorporated assorted flowers into various shapes and colors to make the form of her five parrots; Quin-quin, Péque, Pinky, Loulou, Poupou.

The artist created the painting while in France, but her background in Asian culture has influenced her use of a combination of tropical flowers, such as anthurium and hibiscus.

"Beauty & Ugliness: Aesthetic of Marsi" exhibition: Room 2 - Beauty (21th Century) by Marsi FoundationMarsi Foundation

Flore (20th Century) by MarsiMarsi Foundation

Flore (undated)

89 x 146 cm.
Oil on canvas
Annot, France

In this painting, she created a bed of rocks flowing beautifully along the painting to portray the surrounding natural environment. She masterfully captured movement in the painting using lines and objects, which point in dynamic directions.

L’Univers Pétunia (21th Century) by MarsiMarsi Foundation

L'Univers Pétunia (2003)

195 x 130 cm.
Oil on canvas
Annot, France

This painting, in some ways, represents the evolution of life.

The large water droplets flowing endlessly from the petunia contain DNA, giving rise to man and woman, as well as to many kinds of animals, symbolizing the diversity of life. Marsi’s use of a scientific symbol like DNA attests to her wide ranging interests and reading, not just in art and humanities, but also in science.

Le Bal (20th Century) by MarsiMarsi Foundation

Le Bal (1989)

130 x 195 cm.
Oil on canvas
Annot, France

This is one of Marsi’s masterpieces painted in vibrant colors which won the 1st prize award in Children’s Art from Provence-Arts in 1991. Fun-loving animal characters in the painting intrigue us to look closely at every detail. 

A harmony of meow, meow and squawk, squawk

And many dances!

Cavalicorne (20th Century) by MarsiMarsi Foundation

Cavalicorne (1984)

34 x 26 cm.
Oil on canvas
Annot, France

This couple of a woman and an animal is a symbol commonly found in Marsi’s painting since the beginning of her artistic career. 

In this painting, red color was used to highlight various objects, such as the shawl, the woman’s hair and the beautiful horse mane, creating an interesting movement in the painting.

Le Mariage Mystique du Prince Noui Noui à Vellara (21th Century) by MarsiMarsi Foundation

Le Mariage Mystique du Prince Noui Noui à Vellara (2003)

130 x 195 cm.
Oil on canvas
Annot, France

When her favourite St. Bernard dog died just before she arranged his “marriage”, Marsi painted this elaborate and sumptuous wedding feast for him. 

The bride Marsi and the groom Noui Noui are surrounded by merry guests and couples.

La mort aux dents (20th Century) by MarsiMarsi Foundation

La mort aux dents (1985)

34 x 26 cm.
Oil on canvas
Annot, France

Beauty and Death are the important truths behind this painting. The woman whose face is half-covered with a skull reminds us of the uncertainty of life.

Trees grow over the skull experiencing different seasons of the year, symbolizing how human thoughts are everchanging.

L'embarquement pour Cythère (21th Century) by MarsiMarsi Foundation

L' embarquement pour Cythère (2001)

195 x 130 cm.
Oil on canvas
Annot, France

The name of this painting is taken from a painting by Jean-Antoine Watteau in 1717, portraying a journey to Cythera, the island of Venus. In an essay by Giovanni Macchia, Cythera is described as a paradise wavering in the ephemeral and in artifice.

On top of the painting, there are different types of flowers which are unique recurring elements in her paintings, floating like a group of clouds in the sky.

In Marsi's painting, Cythera is drawn as an island reflecting the love and affection between man and nature. Pictured here are two lovely Labrador dogs with ribbon headbands representing her beloved pets.

La Belle et la Bête (20th Century) by MarsiMarsi Foundation

La Belle et la Bête (1991)

195 x 115 cm.
Oil on canvas
Annot, France

This alluring painting of the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast reflects Marsi’s mastery of elaborate details of clothing and jewelry. This painting was created in 1990s when she had developed to the height of her artistic career.

"Beauty & Ugliness: Aesthetic of Marsi" exhibition (21th Century) by Marsi FoundationMarsi Foundation

L'Arche de Noé (20th Century) by MarsiMarsi Foundation

L' arche de Noé (1992)

130 x 209 cm.
Oil on canvas
Annot, France

This painting portrays Marsi's version of the story of Noah’s Ark from the Bible, where God saves Noah, his family, and animals of the world from the flood.

Many kinds of animals are found in Marsi’s painting, inspired by her extensive study and love of living creatures.

The animals in her painting are elaborately adorned and exhibit their own characters, reflecting her personality and taste.

See more on Beauty and Ugliness
Credits: Story

“Beauty and Ugliness: Aesthetic of Marsi”
7 November – 23 December 2018, The National Gallery Organised by Marsi Foundation
Artist
Princess Marsi Paribatra
Project Advisor
M.R. Jisnuson Svasti
Curator
Assistant Professor Dr. Supachai Areerungruang
Project Coordinator
M.L. Apichit Vudhijai
M.L. Chandrabha Svasti
Exhibition Design
Pruitsatorn Sakulthai
Kwanjit Chayapum
Exhibition Production
Kwanjit Chayapum
Graphic Design
Kwanjit Chayapum
Communication and Public Relations
Kullaya Kassakul
Event Operation
Ruamporn Thavornathiwas
Photography
Samatcha Apaisuwan
Documentary Production
Shane Bunnag

Acknowledgement
The National Gallery, Thailand

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
Google apps