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Marquetry portraits

A marquetry portrait is not painted: it is composed. The subtlety of this approach lies in how features and characteristic expressions are interpreted with a limited choice of colours. Woods of different species and shades are cut and assembled to draw a face, with its shadows and its highlights. Each portrait is a unique piece, a few examples are shown below.

 

Soldier's Eyes : A portrait from the town of Childers

Childers sculpture with inlays in marquetry.

 

 

This marquetry-inlaid sculpture was designed for the town of Childers, in the Queensland region of Australia. Each element carries a specific symbolic meaning, detailed below:

 - The wooden poppies were sourced from an Australian sawmill, thanks to Mr. Lazarides, in order to commemorate the memory of Allied soldiers.
- The cornflower, a traditional emblem of French soldiers, represents France.
- The marquetry eyes are inspired by a photograph from the Thuillier collection.
- The flame is crafted from oak taken from a tree that grew less than two miles from the railway carriage where the Armistice was signed; traces of a bomb fragment remain visiblet.
- The bird incorporates fragments of shrapnel and was created by Father André Marie.
- The rose echoes the one carved on the Vignacourt sideboard, an iconic feature of regional craftsmanship.

 

Lady Diana, an icon of her time

This portrait of Lady Diana, in an oval format, reveals the full expressive richness of wood. It was made from three wood species: pear, sycamore, and maple. Each fragment, precisely cut and then assembled like a mosaic, was chosen for its color and the direction of its grain. The light tones of the hair are echoed by warmer shades, from pink to brown, which sculpt the face and its shadows.

 

Lottie: The Delicate Features of a Child

This portrait, shown in three-quarter view, captures all the delicacy of a child's face. The light-colored gaze turns toward the distance, while the small nose, round cheeks and barely sketched mouth complete the softness of the features. The shades of wood, from honey to golden brown, are enough to sculpt the face without any heavy outlines. The hair is the great achievement of the piece: supple, unruly curls, made of very thin fragments in caramel, hazelnut and deep brown tones, create a play of light and depth of great subtlety. A fine, pale headband holds back the locks and adds a touch of lightness. The plain, light wood background leaves all the focus on the sitter, and the handwritten signature "Lottie petite Lady" gives the whole a personal touch.

 

Amélie, British Lady!

Amélie's portrait was crafted from sycamore, pear, rosewood and oak. Her bright, smiling face is sculpted in warm tones, while pale strands of hair frame her features with lightness. She wears a peaked cap, the very height of fashion! A turquoise collar adds a touch of colour and draws attention to her eyes. Set against an oak background with its grain left visible, her name, spelled out in dark lettering, signs the piece.

 

Louise: A Character Portrait

The portrait of Louise, a young woman with curly hair, was made from natural sycamore. Oval in format, it stands out against a background with a subtle grain. The face, seen head-on, is sculpted through simple variations of grain and shade, from honey to light brown, lending softness to the cheeks and the gentle smile. The curls, in cream and caramel tones, wrap around the face, with a darker lock on the forehead adding contrast. The dark, lively eyes immediately draw the viewer in.

The portrait of Louise, a young woman of Picardy

 

Isabelle, a talented Canadian woman

A slightly tilted face stands out against a large maple leaf in pale wood, the symbol of Canada, set on a warm wooden background with a discreet grain. The hair, swept up in a bun with coppery highlights, and the dark clothing contrast with the brightness of the leaf and bring out the gaze and features. At the bottom, two delicate daisies frame the inscription "Nous nous souvenons" ("We remember"), a nod to Quebec's motto, "Je me souviens" ("I remember").

The portrait of Isabelle, a talented woman.

 

Joe Maxwell, a Man of Exceptional Courage

Marquetry portrait of Joe Maxwell, an exceptional fighter. A soldier of the Australian Imperial Force, he was one of the most decorated men of the First World War and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the British Empire. Oval in format, the piece stands out against a deep, richly grained mahogany-red background. The face, seen head-on, is sculpted through subtle variations of warm tones, from honey to orange-brown, and the direct gaze and frank smile give the sitter a striking presence. The dark hair, streaked with fine strands, contrasts with the blue-grey clothing, the light collar, which complete the portrait with restraint.

Portrait of Joseph Maxwell

 

Fallen in Love

A joyful, playful and tender atmosphere radiates from these portraits. Tombés en amour is a distinctly Québécois expression for lovebirds who never tire of smiling together. Crafted in marquetry, the piece assembles thin slivers of wood in varied shades, inlaid into a darker panel whose grain remains visible. In the corner, a small daisy with an insect adds a touch of poetry and whimsy.

 

The dog, a faithful Companion

This portrait of Maxou shows him facing forward, his head slightly raised, with a gentle, somewhat dreamy gaze. Every grain of the wood and every shade of colour have been chosen to give depth and life to this faithful companion..