Cubist Portrait of Two Men by Jean Lambert-Rucki

This small-scale painting is a quintessential example of the Art Deco and Cubist movements, attributed to the renowned Polish-French artist Jean Lambert-Rucki (1888–1967). The medium appears to be gouache or oil on panel or heavy paper, featuring a highly stylized composition of two male figures. The subjects are rendered in a profile and three-quarter view, wearing traditional headwear including a top hat and a bowler hat. The color palette is composed of muted earth tones, blacks, greys, and pale yellows, accented by vibrant blocks of pink and salmon in the background. Geometrical simplification is a key hallmark here, with sharp lines and flat planes defining the faces and garments. A signature is visible in the upper right quadrant, likely reading 'J. Lambert-Rucki'. The work is housed in a simple wooden inner frame with an outer dark wood moulding. The condition appears stable, though there is some visible foxing or surface spotting particularly on the inner wooden frame. The style suggests a creation date in the 1920s or 1930s, reflecting the avant-garde aesthetic of Montparnasse where the artist was a central figure. The craftsmanship demonstrates a sophisticated mastery of spatial recession and decorative abstraction typical of the Section d'Or influence.

I have virtually examined this Cubist portrait attributed to Jean Lambert-Rucki. The work exemplifies the 'Section d'Or' influence and the artist's transition from traditional sculpture into modernist painting. The composition shows sophisticated geometric fracturing and a palette typical of the 1920s Montparnasse school. Visually, the medium appears consistent with the gouache or mixed media techniques Lambert-Rucki employed during this period. The signature in the upper right corresponds with known exemplars. The condition shows surface maturation; however, the spotting on the inner frame suggests a high-humidity history which may indicate potential foxing on the substrate that requires stabilization. Market demand for Lambert-Rucki remains strong, particularly for works from the inter-war period that bridge Art Deco and Cubism. Similar small-scale works on paper or panel typically hammer between $5,000 and $12,000 at specialized European and New York auctions. The rarity of this specific dual-profile subject matter adds a premium over his more common singular stylized figures. Limitations: This appraisal is based strictly on photographic evidence. A final determination of authenticity requires physical inspection to verify paper age, pigment composition via UV analysis, and a review of the provenance (chain of ownership). I recommend consulting the Comité Jean Lambert-Rucki for inclusion in the Catalogue Raisonné. The value reflects a fair market estimate assuming the work is confirmed as autograph. If the substrate is found to be a later print or if the signature is added, the value would decrease to a decorative level of $200-$400.