Alexandre-Louis Leloir
53. Portrait of a young man, possibly Gustave Toudouze (1847-1904) the artist's cousin, c.1863
Pencil on paper
25.9 x 21.2cm
12128
$ 1,600
Adèle-Anaïs Toudouze had three children: Gustave Toudouze (1847–1904), Édouard Toudouze (1848–1907), and Isabelle Desgrange (1850–1907). This work was executed around 1863, when Gustave would have been about sixteen years old....
Adèle-Anaïs Toudouze had three children: Gustave Toudouze (1847–1904), Édouard Toudouze (1848–1907), and Isabelle Desgrange (1850–1907). This work was executed around 1863, when Gustave would have been about sixteen years old. Gustave later became a prominent French novelist, playwright, and journalist, while his two younger siblings—like their mother, father, and grandfather—pursued careers as artists.
Leloir was a pupil of his grandfather, the artist Alexandre-Marie Colin (1798–1875) before entering the École des Beaux-Arts, where he showed precocious talent, winning the Second Prix de Rome in 1861 and again in1864. Though celebrated early for his ambitious biblical and historical canvases, he increasingly devoted himself to genre painting, drawing inspiration from medieval and 17th century interiors, Dutch models, andOrientalist themes. His works were regularly exhibited at the Paris Salon, earning him medals and, in 1876, the title of Chevalier of the Legion ofHonour. He was also among the founders of the Société des Aquarellistes Français in 1879. The present works offer not only an intimate record of Leloir’s creative process but also a vivid portrayal of an extraordinary artisticdynasty, preserved here in drawings of striking immediacy.
Leloir was a pupil of his grandfather, the artist Alexandre-Marie Colin (1798–1875) before entering the École des Beaux-Arts, where he showed precocious talent, winning the Second Prix de Rome in 1861 and again in1864. Though celebrated early for his ambitious biblical and historical canvases, he increasingly devoted himself to genre painting, drawing inspiration from medieval and 17th century interiors, Dutch models, andOrientalist themes. His works were regularly exhibited at the Paris Salon, earning him medals and, in 1876, the title of Chevalier of the Legion ofHonour. He was also among the founders of the Société des Aquarellistes Français in 1879. The present works offer not only an intimate record of Leloir’s creative process but also a vivid portrayal of an extraordinary artisticdynasty, preserved here in drawings of striking immediacy.
