Glimmer of her soul, 2025

Natalya Mougenot   Best sellers

Contemporary abstract expressionist woman's portrait “Glimmer of Her Soul " was created by French artist Natalya Mougenot and is part of her ongoing series dedicated to Women. In this body of work, she explores the themes of womanhood, transformation, and the multiple facets of the modern woman.

“I wanted to show a woman with her dual soul, which can be at once vulnerable and strong, fragile yet determined," Mougenot explains. “That tension is at the core of what it means to be a woman today."

Her distinctive use of color is central to this exploration. “I use bright, vivid colors to emphasize the emotion hidden behind this gaze," she says, underlining her belief that color carries emotional truth more directly than realism ever could.

Mougenot has developed a unique visual language grounded in Abstract Expressionism, infused with the spirit of Fauvism—particularly inspired by Henri Matisse and his radical approach to color—and enriched by contemporary figurative abstraction. “These influences helped me shape my own artistic voice," she reflects. “The combination makes my style recognizable, but more importantly, it allows me to express emotion beyond words."

This portrait embodies the spirit of modern expressionism, where emotion takes precedence over naturalistic representation. The artist embraces bold, gestural brushstrokes and a vivid color palette reminiscent of the Fauvist tradition—echoing Matisse, Derain, and the German Expressionists—who sought to communicate inner states through radical color and form.

“I don't want to paint a single woman," Mougenot explains. “I want her to stand for many, to be universal rather than individual." The subject's features are thus simplified, almost mask-like, underscoring this sense of shared experience.

The turquoise background provides a cool counterpoint to the fiery warmth of ochres, yellows, and reds that dominate the face and body. “I love to let colors speak to each other—they create emotion by contrast, just like in life," she notes. Purple accents in the earrings anchor the composition, highlighting her instinct for chromatic tension and her belief that “color is the true heartbeat of the painting."

In this way, Mougenot situates herself within a lineage of artists who challenged classical ideals of beauty and harmony, instead offering raw immediacy, emotional depth, and psychological intensity. “For me, portraiture is not just about resemblance," she reflects. “It is about revealing presence—an expressive map of a woman's inner world."

Details:

-Sold unframed, allowing you to choose a frame that best suits your space and personal style.

-For inspiration, interior photos with framing suggestions are available.

-Signed on the front and on the back. 

-Carefully packaged and shipped directly from France, accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring the integrity and provenance of your unique piece.