Details:

Oil on Mahogany panel

21.5 cm by 16.5 cm (8.5 inches by 6.5 inches)

In a superb period carved gilt wood exhibition frame

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Exhibition history:

The French Exhibition, at The French Gallery, Pall Mall, London (March 1861) catalogue number 21. Original exhibition label and notations to reverse of frame.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art The New York Centennial Loan Exhibition of Paintings (1876) no. 8.

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Literature:

The Art Journal, printed by James Virtue (London) Volume VI (1861), p.125: The Exhibition of French Pictures. "A painter in his studio by Chavet ; he is attired in the taste of the middle of the last century. This is a finished composition which equally, in all its parts, satisfies the eye".

The Spectator, 23 March 1861, p.18: The French Exhibition. "The works of M. Chavet are almost microscopic. They are scarcely so large as the palm of the hand but are painted with much refinement and delicacy....a feat of dexterous manipulation".

The Athenaeum, 23 March 1861, p. 401: The French Exhibition. "M. Victor Chavet has three pictures."

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Provenance:

Mr Robert Gordon (1829-1918), trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, partner Messrs. Maitland, Phelps & Co., founding associate of JP Morgan.

Christie's (King Street) Ancient and Modern Pictures 23 Feb 1907, lot 7.

Odon Wagner Gallery, Toronto, Canada (gallery label to reverse of panel)

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The Art Journal vol. VI (1861) selects highlights from the 1861 Exhibition of French Pictures referring to the present work as:

"A painter in his studio, by Chavet ; his is attired in the taste of the middle of the last century. This is a finished composition, which equally, in all its parts, satisfies the eye"

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Description:

Victor Joseph Chavet was a student of Pierre Révoil in Lyon and Camille Roqueplan. He exhibited at the Paris Salons and was awarded numerous medals (1853, 1855, 1857, 1859). He was named Knight of the Legion of Honor in 1859 and holds state orders. In addition to his paintings, he also made important drawings of tapestries depicting the portraits of François I and the painter Francesco Romanelli, which are kept in the Apollo Gallery of the Louvre.

In 1857, Chavet was chosen by the State to participate in the completion of the Louvre, completed in five years by Napoleon III. He is also provided major works for the watercolor album offered by Napoleon III to Queen Victoria, depicting the main events of her trip to France, such as the Walk in the Ice Gallery in Versailles. His works are held in The Royal Collection Trust (UK), The Louve (Paris) and in Versailles.