- 40
Julius LeBlanc Stewart
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
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Description
- Julius LeBlanc Stewart
- Before the Fire
- signed and dated JL Stewart 1912 (lower right)
- oil on canvas
- 152 by 110cm., 60 by 43¾in.
Provenance
Possibly, Eliza Caroline Morgan (possibly acquired directly from the artist, her nephew)
William Morgan Phillips (the artist's first cousin)
John L. Phillips (by descent from the above)
Walter Massey Phillips, Sr. (thence by descent)
William Morgan Phillips (the artist's first cousin)
John L. Phillips (by descent from the above)
Walter Massey Phillips, Sr. (thence by descent)
Exhibited
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, One Hundred and Eighth Annual Exhibition, 1913, no. 153 (as Before the Fire)
Condition
The canvas has been relined. The picture presents well and is overall in good condition.
There is some light frame rubbing along the extreme edges and one small spot of paint loss in the lower left corner. There is a pattern of hairline craquelure throughout, somewhat more visible in the figure's body. Ultra-violet light reveals areas of retouching in the blue pigments in the lower half of the composition, a circa 10cm. vertical stroke in the background to the left of the upper part of the fireplace (possibly addressing an old repair), clusters of retouching in the girl's body and in the white fabric, and some other scattered spots. However, the face is untouched.
This picture is ready to hang.
Presented in a decorative gilt frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
An American by birth, Julius LeBlanc Stewart moved to Paris from Philadelphia in 1865, exposing him to the ateliers of internationally renowned artists from a young age.
In 1878, at the age of twenty-three, he made his debut at the Paris Salon, which placed him at the ranks of other celebrated American expatriate artists like John Singer Sargent. Stewart is best known for his large scale paintings of Parisian high society. However, as the expatriate Parisian social scene faded in the 1890’s, Stewart focused his attention on more intimate subjects: nudes. In 1899, each of his seven pictures submitted to the Salon depicted nudes. Before the Fire was exhibited in 1913 at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, where some seemed to question the artist’s bold choice of subject, a contrast to his earlier scenes of vibrant contemporary life. In a review of the exhibition, the Telegraph reported, “This is a glowing picture of a girl unhampered by incidental scenery except a few strands of hair. Her hands are propped under her chin and the picture suggests she has recently come from a bath. There is nothing sinfully alluring in the eyes, the picture is that of innocent well being, but still it is said that objections have been made to this canvas.” (Telegraph, Philadelphia, Feb. 10, 1913).
In 1878, at the age of twenty-three, he made his debut at the Paris Salon, which placed him at the ranks of other celebrated American expatriate artists like John Singer Sargent. Stewart is best known for his large scale paintings of Parisian high society. However, as the expatriate Parisian social scene faded in the 1890’s, Stewart focused his attention on more intimate subjects: nudes. In 1899, each of his seven pictures submitted to the Salon depicted nudes. Before the Fire was exhibited in 1913 at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, where some seemed to question the artist’s bold choice of subject, a contrast to his earlier scenes of vibrant contemporary life. In a review of the exhibition, the Telegraph reported, “This is a glowing picture of a girl unhampered by incidental scenery except a few strands of hair. Her hands are propped under her chin and the picture suggests she has recently come from a bath. There is nothing sinfully alluring in the eyes, the picture is that of innocent well being, but still it is said that objections have been made to this canvas.” (Telegraph, Philadelphia, Feb. 10, 1913).