SwissArtGallery · Documented identity
Trained in Tournai in the craft of flower painting, Joseph-Laurent Malaine belonged to a family tradition: his father, Régnier Joseph Malaine, also worked there as a master flower painter. In 1773, he presented two paintings of flowers in vases at the first Salon of Lille, a subject that would remain central to his work. He subsequently exhibited at the Salon from 1791 to 1808.
Most of his known works show bouquets arranged in vases placed on ledges; insects or birds sometimes accompany the compositions. He worked in oil on copper, wood or canvas, adapting his subject to different supports. His practice also extended to decorative design: in 1788, he notably produced a carpet design for the royal Savonnerie manufactory.
His paintings bear the signatures “Louis Malaine” or “L Malaine”, as well as the monograms “LJM” and “LM”. Among his pupils was Jacques Barraband, who became a flower painter in the “flower class” of the École de dessin de Lyon in 1807. His work is also represented in public collections: a Bouquet of Flowers in oil on wood was given to the Musée des beaux-arts de Mulhouse in 1866 by Eugène Koechlin.
This profile brings together identity references for Joseph-Laurent Malaine and paintings, drawings and works on paper documented in auction catalogues.
4 references are documented at Schuler, Piguet. Each record links to its source; the amounts are not a general valuation of the artist’s work.
Oil on canvas
Nature morte aux fruits
huile sur toile
Catalogue period : 2024-05-21 — 2024-06-05
Published result : 2600 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 1500–2500
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Oil on wood
Blumen- und Früchtenstillleben, auf der Marmorplatte eine Ananas
Öl auf Holz
Catalogue period : 2022-03-25
Published result : 3000 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 3000–4000
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Oil on wood
Blumenstillleben, auf der Marmorplatte ein Maiskolben
Öl auf Holz
Catalogue period : 2021-12-17
Published result : 7000 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 5000–7000
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Oil on wood
Blumen- und Früchtenstillleben, auf der Marmorplatte eine Ananas
Öl auf Holz
Catalogue period : 2021-12-17
Catalogue reference — sale not confirmed
Estimate : CHF 5000–7000
View the lot at the auction house ↗SwissArtGallery documentary note based on the cited sources. Titles, media and qualifications are provided in the profile language; the original catalogue wording remains available in each record.
Documentation updated : 2026-10-19
