Little Pierre - Georges Lemmen

A portrait of a young boy in a striped jumper beside a vase of sunflowers, painted by Belgian Neo-Impressionist Georges Lemmen.

Georges Lemmen, a Belgian artist associated with the Neo-Impressionist movement, produced this portrait of a young boy, known as Little Pierre, around 1900. The composition balances the figure of the child with a large, rustic vase filled with sunflowers. The boy wears a distinctive red and black striped jumper, which provides a strong visual contrast against the muted, earthy tones of the background and the table covering. Lemmen was a member of the group Les Vingt, and his work often reflects the influence of pointillism and divisionism, though this particular piece leans towards a more textured, painterly application of pigment. The sunflowers are rendered with thick, expressive brushwork, suggesting the influence of post-impressionist floral studies. The boy stands in a relaxed posture, his hand resting on a basket, creating a sense of quiet observation. The background is divided between a dark, shadowed area on the left and a lighter, more atmospheric space on the right, which helps to frame the subject. This portrait demonstrates Lemmen's interest in domestic subjects and his ability to integrate still-life elements into portraiture. The colour palette is dominated by warm ochres, deep browns, and the striking red of the boy's clothing. The work avoids excessive detail, focusing instead on the interplay of light and the tactile quality of the paint surface. It is a characteristic example of Lemmen's later style, which moved away from the strict application of dots towards a more fluid, personal approach to colour and form. The painting captures a moment of childhood stillness, grounded by the presence of the sunflowers, which serve as a natural counterpoint to the boy's striped attire.