Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 32 works by Georgette Agutte in our catalogue
In short
Coffee in the garden is the Georgette Agutte painting that draws the most eyes. After it, the eye goes to Cactus rouges (dans trois cache pots de Metthey) Cactus rouges (dans trois vases Methey) (Titre attribué) and The Beautiful Italian Woman (1919). Among the 32 works of Georgette Agutte in our catalog, these 32 are the most famous, each a unique original presented with its year, its museum and the reason it endures.
A dining table draped in white cloth occupies the center of this garden scene, surrounded by chairs and the quiet stillness of an outdoor setting. On the table, various items—cups, bowls, and a bottle—are arranged alongside two vases. A single figure stands at the far right, a silent presence amidst the greenery. The composition captures a sense of repose, placing the viewer within a private, tranquil sanctuary.
The composition centers on three ceramic pots containing red cacti, positioned against a window and a blue ledge. The arrangement follows a vertical orientation, with the three vessels occupying the central space of the frame. The red of the cacti is applied in bold, saturated strokes that contrast against the cool, pale tones of the background. Light enters from the window, creating soft shadows and highlighting the edges of the…
Marcel Sembat lisantMusée de Grenoble
12
Nu féminin
13
Le jardin de Bonnières Sembat dans son jardin (Titre attribué)Musée de Grenoble
14
La Danse
15
Portrait de femme Portrait de Madame Branting (Titre attribué)
16
Promenade (Marcel Sembat dans son jardin)
17
Le chapeau blanc et vert La femme au chapeau blanc et vert (Titre attribué)
18
Vague à Lacanau
19
Bords de Seine à l'automne
20
Nature morte
21
Nature morte au Bouddha et raisins
22
Parterre de tulipes à Bonnières
23
Jardin à Bonnières
24
L'Ile de Jeufosse
25
Vue de Bonnières
26
Nature morte aux deux chrysanthèmes
27
Vue de la vallée de la Seine
28
Corbeille de géraniums
29
Nature morte aux pastèques, vases et tapis
30
Panier de kakis
31
Allée du jardin de Bonnières
32
Nu allongé
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
The 3 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Georgette Agutte | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Musée de Grenoble |
Grenoble | 2 | Marcel Sembat lisant, Le jardin de Bonnières Sembat dans son jardin (Titre attribué) |
 Musée Des Beaux Arts |
Mulhouse | 1 | The Beautiful Italian Woman |
 Smithsonian American Art Museum |
Washington, D.C. | 1 | Ancient Castle |
A long career of 17 years, 1903 to 1919: Georgette Agutte's most famous originals, shown year by year.
Pick a year to see its originals.
Coffee in the garden. Cactus rouges (dans trois cache pots de Metthey) Cactus rouges (dans trois vases Methey) (Titre attribué) and The Beautiful Italian Woman (1919) come next.
Coffee in the garden, Cactus rouges (dans trois cache pots de Metthey) Cactus rouges (dans trois vases Methey) (Titre attribué), The Beautiful Italian Woman, Chamonix l'hiver, Women cutting oranges Women with oranges (Attributed title), Ancient Castle, Le Tour Chamonix l'hiver (Titre attribué), Femme à la robe bleue, La japonaise nue and Grande allée. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.
Our catalog holds 32 works by Georgette Agutte, dated from 1903 to 1919.
Mostly in Musée de Grenoble (Grenoble), Musée Des Beaux Arts (Mulhouse) and Smithsonian American Art Museum (Washington, D.C.). The museum table above lists them all.
On this page, the earliest is Ancient Castle (1903) and the latest The Beautiful Italian Woman (1919).
Woman (3), Garden (2) and Elegant composition (2), across the 32 works on this page.
Fauvism and Impressionism, judging by the originals on this page.
Marcel Sembat lisant and Le jardin de Bonnières Sembat dans son jardin (Titre attribué): the Musée de Grenoble, Grenoble holds 2 of the works on this page.
The art world, for all its grand pronouncements and celebrated figures, often overlooks those who dared to forge their own paths—particularly women artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Georgette Agutte (1867-1922) stands as a poignant example of this historical neglect. Born in Calais into an artistic family – her father a painter, her mother a draughtswoman – she inherited not just a lineage of creativity but also a spirit of independence that would define her life and work. Agutte’s story is one of audacious experimentation, a brief but brilliant career cut short by tragedy, and a legacy only recently beginning to be recognized for its unique power.
Her early training at Gustave Moreau's studio in Paris was pivotal. Moreau, a key figure in the Symbolist movement, instilled in Agutte a philosophy of artistic freedom – a rejection of academic constraints and an embrace of subjective experience. This emphasis on inner vision would become a hallmark of her style. She quickly distinguished herself as a non-conformist, becoming the sole woman admitted to the prestigious École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, a testament to her talent and determination. Her circle included luminaries like Matisse and Georges Rouault, suggesting an engagement with the burgeoning avant-garde currents of the time.
Agutte’s artistic development is inextricably linked to the rise of Fauvism – a movement characterized by its bold, non-naturalistic use of color. While she wasn't formally associated with the group (which primarily coalesced in the early 20th century), her work demonstrates a clear kinship with the Fauvist aesthetic. Her canvases explode with vibrant hues—intense blues, fiery reds, and luminous yellows – applied with thick, impasto strokes that prioritize emotional impact over realistic representation. This is evident in pieces like “Nature morte aux pastèques, vases et tapis” (1912-14), a still life rendered in an almost hallucinatory palette of pinks, greens, and blues, where form seems to dissolve into pure color.
She wasn’t simply applying bright colors; Agutte used them to convey mood and feeling. Her landscapes, such as “Le Château Antique” (1903), are imbued with a sense of dreamlike intensity, the forms rendered in simplified shapes against a swirling backdrop of color. Her portraits, too, moved beyond mere likeness, capturing the essence of her subjects through expressive brushwork and carefully chosen hues. The portrait of Marcel Sembat reading, for example, is not just a depiction of a man; it’s an evocation of intellect and contemplation.
Agutte's artistic pursuits extended beyond painting. She was also a skilled sculptor, creating evocative bronze figures like “Portrait of Jules Guesde” (1925), a tribute to the socialist politician who became her husband. Furthermore, she engaged in the world of decorative arts, designing tapestries and contributing to the Aubusson National School of Decorative Art – a testament to her versatility and commitment to artistic innovation.
Her involvement with Aubusson is particularly noteworthy. She created a mountain landscape woven in 1923, which was exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs and later featured prominently at the International Exhibition of Decorative Arts in Paris in 1925. This piece, alongside her fireplace screen adorned with marigolds and Aubusson tapestry, showcased her ability to seamlessly blend artistic vision with craftsmanship.
Agutte’s life was tragically cut short in 1922, following the sudden death of her husband, Marcel Sembat. Overwhelmed by grief, she succumbed to suicide, leaving behind a small but potent body of work. For decades, her art remained largely unknown, overshadowed by the more celebrated figures of the Fauvist movement and other contemporary artists. However, in recent years, there has been a growing recognition of her unique contribution to French painting – a rediscovery fueled by meticulous research and dedicated exhibitions.
The 2003 retrospective at the Musée de Grenoble brought Agutte’s work back into the public eye, revealing the depth and complexity of her artistic vision. A street is now named after her in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, a small but significant gesture acknowledging her place in the city's cultural landscape. Georgette Agutte’s story serves as a powerful reminder that history often forgets those who dare to be different—and that it is our responsibility to ensure their voices are heard and their art appreciated for its enduring beauty and significance.
