Neal Baer Collection

Cédric Rivrain (b. 1977, Limoges) lives and works in Paris. Before turning to painting, Rivrain worked as a fashion illustrator for many years and produced a body of drawings focused on portraiture. He continued this interest in portraiture in his painting practice, which presents its subjects – often friends– in an intimate manner (many appear naked or in underwear). Both his formal style and strategy builds on the portrait work of Sylvia Sleigh. Rivrain’s realism is inflected by a queerness, from heteronormative and non-heteronormative sitters, humans and animals. His subjects also frequently engage with mechanical or technological objects (e.g. a friend posing in front of an air conditioner, a swan regarding a power strip, a monkey hanging on a lightbulb).    

Closed Mouth (Self-portrait) is emblematic of this dandy realism, the artist’s mouth held mute with a dainty blue ribbon, reminiscent of the 17th century flower garland paintings of Daniel Seghers and the 18th century French rococo portraits by Boucher and Vigée-Lebrun. While Rivrain has not frequently exhibited self-portraits, a similarly small-scaled self-portrait from 2022 depicted the artist with his mouth slight agape.

Provenance

Fitzpatrick Gallery, Paris

Exhibitions

Cédric Rivrain,”Poussière,” Fitzpatrick Gallery in Los Angeles, February 24, 2024 – March 3, 2024

See also

Cédric Rivrain at Fitzpatrick Gallery

Will Allstetter, “Sharing glances at Cédric Rivrain’s ‘Poussière,” Document Journal, February 24, 2024

Cédric Rivrain “Belle Main” at Fitzpatrick Gallery, November 26, 2021 – January 22, 2022

Cédric Rivrain, “Transvas” at Balice Hertling, July 3 – August 7, 2015

Felicity Carter, “Cédric Rivrain and His Refined Portraiture,” Forbes, October 2, 2018

Lara Konrad, “Cédric Rivrain Interview and his Latest Exhibition at Balice Hertling,” March 11, 2016

Caroline Gaimari, “Cédric Rivrain,” purple Magazine, F/W 2014 issue 22