$128.00
Antique photogravure after Paul Désiré Trouillebert’s La Danse des Nymphes, often confused with Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot’s earlier Matinée, La Danse des Nymphes (see second image and history below). In fact, a previous owner was equally confused as he wrote on the cardboard backing “Jean Baptist [sic] Camille Corot, French painter, 1796 – 1875, ‘La Danse des Nymphs [sic], The Dance of the Nymphs’.” Although mirror images of one another, differences in several details are visible on close inspection. This print comes in its original frame (refinished) under glass, with new dust cover and ready to hang. Overall measurements are 19.75″ x 23.5″; the actual print measures 16″ x 20″. The print is monochromatic (the original was in color–see second image) in gray-brownish tones, not quite sepia. I believe it dates from the first quarter of the 20th century. Very moody and evocative. Excellent addition to a classically-inspired gallery wall.
1 in stock
HISTORY (from online sources): Dance of the Nymphs, oil on canvas by Paul Désiré Trouillebert (French, Barbizon School, 1829 – 1900), depicts a joyful scene of nymphs dancing the morning fog. The work closely resembles an important work by the great Camille Corot (see below). Renowned for his unique individuality that toed the line between the traditional and modern, Corot and his landscapes helped pave the way for an entire generation of Impressionists who followed him. Trouillebert perfectly captures the poetic atmosphere of Corot’s groundbreaking works, while also imbuing this scene with a freshness and character that is all his own. His Nymphs is exemplary of the tradition of historical painting, perfectly combining a realistic depiction of the natural world with a spirited romanticism as his idealized nymph figures frolic playfully beneath a crisp morning sky. As a whole, it is a lovely composition executed with a level of skill and artistry that proves Trouillebert’s exceptional talent in the arts. Trouillebert was a student of the academic painters Ernest Hébert and Charles Jalabert. Early in his career, he primarily produced portraits and genre scenes, exhibiting his first portrait at the Paris Salon in 1865. By the end of the decade, however, his interest in landscape painting blossomed, and in 1869, he exhibited his first landscape at the Salon to great acclaim. He went on to execute a number of landscapes that recall the mature style of Corot, including the present work, though they remain distinctly Trouillbert in their execution. Today, his paintings can be found in several important private collections, as well as the Lightner Museum (St. Augustine, Florida). The original of this work is currently being offered for sale by a fine art gallery for over $98,000.
Matinée, La Danse des Nymphes, oil on canvas ca. 1860 by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (French, Barbizon School, 1796 – 1875) was the result of a “collage” of two different scenes. Even though the painting was presented as a bacchanal at the 1851 Salon, the dancing figures may have been based on the artist’s reverie of scenes recalled from the Opera [Wagner’s]. In addition, the backdrop of trees resembles a stage curtain, and imbues the whole scene with the atmosphere of a ballet. The title further adds to the ambiguity, the word “matinée” possibly being an allusion to daytime performances, as opposed to “soirées.” For this landscape, Corot produced a mirror image of a study he did in the gardens of the Farnese Palace in Rome twenty years earlier [this is perhaps the work that inspired the almost identical, nevertheless mirror image work, by Paul Désiré Trouillebert]. The soft, blurred leaves, so specific to this later period of Corot’s work, testify to the artist’s interest in the elements of nature rather than the characters portrayed. This is a significant aspect that contributed to Corot’s importance in the development of 19th century painting. He is just one step away from the rural landscape, which itself heralded the research of the future Impressionists. The Dance of the Nymphs represents a turning point in Corot’s career, announcing his move from “historical” to “lyrical” landscapes where the natural world is increasingly subject to atmospheric effects. The original of this work resides at The Musée d’Orsay, Paris.
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I purchased two items from this shop. They arrived surprisingly quickly, and it was evident that extreme care was taken to ensure they arrived safely. I greatly appreciate the attention and extra care when packaging up the items. How sad it would be to purchase an antique that has survived multiple generations, only to be destroyed by USPS! Thank you so much for a wonderful shopping experience!
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danicatheracecardriver –
Wonderful experience, meticulous packaging!
I purchased two items from this shop. They arrived surprisingly quickly, and it was evident that extreme care was taken to ensure they arrived safely. I greatly appreciate the attention and extra care when packaging up the items. How sad it would be to purchase an antique that has survived multiple generations, only to be destroyed by USPS! Thank you so much for a wonderful shopping experience!