Soft Cubism: Marie Laurencin Portrait Style

Trained on nineteen paintings by the French artist Marie Laurencin. You can see her work at

• https://www.wikiart.org/en/marie-laurencin

• https://www.artnet.com/artists/marie-laurencin/

• https://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/marielaurencin

• https://www.flickr.com/photos/ihsun/22705686570/in/photostream/

• https://www.artic.edu/collection?artist_ids=Marie+Laurencin

Even though Laurencin became an important figure in the Parisian avant-garde as a member of the Cubists associated with the Section d'Or, I cannot find enough of her cubism works. So I had to train on her softer, non-cubist paintings (thus the name of the LoRA is a bit of a stretch).

This LoRa produces images with a soft, dreamlike textures and colours. It does have a big flaw: it does not like to generate men. That's what happens when the entire training dataset consists of portraits of women. Maybe I'll try to put in a few male portraits in a future version.

According to ChatGPT:

Marie Laurencin (1883–1956) – French Painter & Illustrator

Overview

Marie Laurencin was a French painter, illustrator, and printmaker, known for her soft, dreamlike portraits of women. She was associated with Cubism and the Parisian avant-garde, yet developed a distinctive, lyrical style that blended pastel colors, fluid lines, and delicate femininity.

1. Early Life & Education

• Born in Paris, France, in 1883.

• Studied porcelain painting before shifting to fine art at the Académie Humbert, where she met influential artists.

• Became part of Pablo Picasso’s circle, connecting with artists like Georges Braque and Guillaume Apollinaire.

2. Artistic Style & Themes

• Initially influenced by Cubism, but soon moved away from its rigid geometry.

• Developed a soft, ethereal style, often using pastel pinks, blues, and grays.

• Focused on portraits of women, nudes, and intimate group scenes, creating a sense of mystery and nostalgia.

• Recurring motifs: elegant women, dreamy expressions, delicate floral elements.

• Also illustrated poetry books, including works by André Gide and Paul Verlaine.

3. Notable Works

🎨 "Apollinaire and His Friends" (1909) – A Cubist-style group portrait featuring Guillaume Apollinaire, Picasso, and Laurencin herself.
🎨 "Group of Young Girls" (1920s) – An example of her signature soft, pastel-toned female figures.
🎨 "Portrait of Coco Chanel" (1923) – A delicate rendering of the fashion icon.
🎨 "The Fan" (1919) – Showcases her graceful, poetic aesthetic.

4. Personal Life & Influence

• Had a romantic relationship with Guillaume Apollinaire, one of the key poets of Cubism.

• Exiled to Spain and Germany during WWI due to her German husband's background.

• Returned to Paris in the 1920s, where she became a sought-after portrait artist among the fashion and literary elite.

5. Legacy

• One of the few prominent female artists in the Cubist movement.

• Pioneered a distinctly feminine, poetic interpretation of modernism, influencing later artists and illustrators.

• Her works remain in major collections, including the Centre Pompidou (Paris) and The Met (New York).

Final Thoughts

Marie Laurencin carved out a unique space in 20th-century art, balancing avant-garde innovation with graceful, intimate storytelling. Her dreamlike portraits continue to enchant art lovers today. 💕🎨