Marc Le Rest, “The Salon”
February 25th – March 26th, 2023
Haven Gallery is pleased to present a collection of fourteen new paintings from French artist Marc Le Rest for his second solo show entitled “The Salon”. “The Salon” brings together sitters from different backgrounds, dressed in their best, with a common taste for sophistication, as they unite in space and heart. Adorned in their best garb, representing historical fashions from the west and east, one finds the company of courtesans, bishops and samurai gathered together amicably, uniting not only humans from different cultures and classes, but animals and all living creatures as well. “The Salon” is a continuation of the artists oeuvre in exploring ornate costumery and regalia, demonstrating a masterful technique, nodding back to Le Rests time in textile design. A noble choice in choosing sitters from the animal kingdom translates an appreciation and respect for all living creatures as they’re celebrated and revered alongside their human counterparts. About Marc Le Rest Marc is known for his vibrant, grandiose portraits realistically rendered in oil, highlighting fashions through the ages as they adorn and regale his sitters. Highly inspired by historic portraiture, Marc’s sitters are poised and noble. They acknowledge the viewer in a bold and resplendent manner evoking royal and aristocratic roots found throughout art historical depictions of the nobility in art. With his professional background in fashion, a remarkable representation of fabric, form, pattern work and texture of the highest class further aggrandize his sitters. Moreover, an understanding of the identifying attributes of styles, colors and fabrics in fashion to ones social standing or home region, is clearly acknowledged as well throughout the artists paintings. Marc’s work demonstrates a strong grasp on history, fashion and art, while gracefully acknowledging nature through his animal sitters, remarking on the influence of the latter, the beauty of all creatures and perhaps, tastefully equating the importance of all life on earth.
