c1996 Beryl Cook French Tango Original Oil on Board Painting

A rare, c1996, framed original Beryl Cook oil on board painting ‘The French Tango’.
In this charming painting titled 'French Tango’, an archetypal French couple are linked in a tight embrace as they dance the Tango. They are both wearing black berets; he wears a striped t-shirt and smokes a cigarette. The background is very plain with a green curtain and a light brown floor. The painting is not signed, but the artwork perfectly encapsulates Cook's signature style, characterised by its joyful, warm, and original expression that has endeared her to the British and International public. The painting is in very good condition and is framed. The back of the frame has the catalogue ticket with the title and the name of the artist. An accompanying letter confirming the authenticity of the painting is available from Beryl Cook’s family.
Of the painting, Julian Spalding (Happy Days 1995) wrote: ‘Her description of the tango bar is very telling. She was uncomfortable when the bar was empty, except for a frenzied couple dancing, but when many more customers arrived she was happier, stopped laughing nervously, and ‘everything settled down’... When you look closely at her compositions you can see that everything in them, every movement, mass, look and shape is balanced or echoed, one by another, until the whole picture seems to dance together.’
Beryl Cook OBE (1926 - 2008) is probably Plymouth's most famous artist of the 20th century and is best known for her tongue in cheek representations of Plymouth social life. Her distinctive style, with large portly ladies and men, is hugely popular, making this a desirable piece for any enthusiast.
Size of Picture: 58 x 60 cm (22 7/8 x 23 5/8 inches)
Size of Frame: 83 x 83.5 x 2 cm (32 5/8 x 32 7/8 x 2 inches)
Weight: 6 kg