Art History Series: Monuments Men

Monuments Men

Today I want to talk about a more unexpected story of the painting you see called "Portrait d'une femme, à mi-corps" (Portrait of a woman, half height) by Nicolas de Largillière (1656-1746). The picture is beautiful in my opinion, and painted in the fine portrait style of its time, but its extraordinary value is derived from the road through which it passes. I am showing it now because it is the picture that can be seen in the famous photo of the people who saved 5,000 paintings after World War II. It was taken from Baron Philippe de Rothschild by the Nazis in 1940 and subsequently returned and restored to his family in May 1946.

"Portrait d'une femme, à mi-corps" (Portrait of a woman, half height) by Nicolas de Largillière

After the Baron's death, it was purchased in 1978 and is now being auctioned by its owner at Christie's, Paris on November 21, 2024 with an estimated lot price of $50-80,000. Paintings by the artist in previous years reached $1.57 million and $1.23 for the infamous "Portrait of a Lady as Pomona," which returned to the ownership of an heir of Jewish art collector Jules Strauss through restitution.

There is a book and a 2014 film adaptation of Monuments Men if you want to know more. And for now, I'm waiting to see the auction and what value this painting will acquire with its curious tale.

Regards,

Julia

P.S.: Update on the sale: It got sold on November 21, 2024 for 529,200 EUR.

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Art History Series: Giovanni Boldini - Spanish Moulin Rouge Dancer

Spanish Moulin Rouge Dancer by Giovanni Boldini

Since today's theme is Halloween, I thought I'd share an interesting painting by Giovanni Boldini that I find beautiful and at the same time has a nice detail. Boldini is known for his portraits of high society figures as well as his bold and free strokes. Here we see a lovely portrait of a Spanish dancer from the Moulin Rouge, but if you look closely at the side strokes you'll see that there are hands that don't belong there and there seems to be a ghost behind her. It's possible that it's just a reused sketch or that there were previous versions of the model's pose, but I like this implied approach and idea even if we assume that this is the creative spirit she indulges in as she dances magically.

  Happy All Saints' Day,

  Julia

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Art History Series: Madame de Pompadour – Friend of the King

Jean Baptiste Pigalle: Madame de Pompadour as "Friendship" (Louvre)

After the events of 1757 and the Battle of Rossbach, France lost its American colonies to England. Madame Pompadour reassures the king with the famous phrase "Au reste, après nous, le Déluge" (Besides, after us, the Deluge), but she herself is troubled by the public's ill opinion of her, as she is blamed for her influence and political direction. On the other hand, unlike the previous lovers of the king, she is the only one who manages to have a role in royal and political life and bring joy to the monarch, who was prone to melancholic moods and boredom. She entertains him with her constant company, extravagant balls and themed elegant dinners, visits to the opera, hunting, and tours of their various estates and lodgings. Sometimes she even managed to get the queen - Marie Leszczyńska – to join them on their travels by invitation of the King.

In 1750, her relationship with the King remains purely platonic for two major reasons - one is her severely deteriorating health after many illnesses and three lost pregnancies to the King, and the other is that it falls on the Jubilee Year - when everyone must repent of their sins and society expects the king to renounce his mistress.

In order to preserve her good name, the marquise used art again cunningly and commissioned a sculpture from Jean-Baptiste Pigalle that depicted her as Amitié (friendship). A gentle pose, a reduced gaze, and the offering of this sculpture to a now lost small sculpture of the King, won back the devotion of the majority, and she remained a faithful adviser to the king until the end of her days.

This wonderful statue can be seen in the Louvre.

Regards,

Julia

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