Raoul Dufy is celebrated for his convivial group depictions. Scène de dépicage, le repas mixes two of Dufy’s favourite subjects – the harvest and raucous gatherings. Not uncommon within art, harvest scenes have inspired many artists over the centuries from the medieval Book of Honors to modernist such as Monet, Gauguin, Van Gogh and Vlaminck.

Scène de dépicage, le repas is a study for part of an oil painting titled Repas et dépiquage . The oil is divided into two scenes: the left depicting a meal, as in the present drawing, and the right showing the harvesting of crops. The present drawing and final oil painting are the only works in the series to focus on the community gathering the others concentrate upon the labour and machinery of working the land.

Dufy’s drawing technique is similar to that of his painting: free and dynamic. In the present drawing he overlays multiple lines and smudges the pencil through a erasure, in a constant give and take of lines that creates movement. The quick application of the pencil seen in the central standing figure adds an energy and prominence to the composition.

This drawing was acquired directly from the artist by the famous Parisian gallerist Louis Carré. The gallery worked with Dufy for many years holding multiple exhibitions of his work.