JEAN LOUIS FORAIN | Une nuit chez Maxim's

Galerie Bernheim-Jeune, Paris
Bruno Scaioli, Italy (sale: Sotheby's, New York, 23rd May 1985, lot 91)
Emily Kilgore, U.S.A. (purchased at the above sale; sale: Christie's, New York, 6th May 1998, lot 157)
Private Collection, Geneva (purchased at the above sale; sale: Sotheby's, London, 20th June 2007, lot 306)
Private Collection, United Kingdom (purchased at the above sale)
Thence by descent to the present owners

Paris, Petit Palais, Musée des Beaux Arts de la Ville de Paris & Memphis, Dixon Gallery & Gardens, Jean-Louis Forain (1852-1931), La Comédie parisienne, 2011, no. 184, illustrated in colour in the catalogue (titled Après souper)

The canvas is not lined. Inspection under UV lights reveals a thick varnish preventing the UV light from fully penetrating, however, there appears to be no signs of retouching. There are artist pin holes in the upper right and lower right corners and a small spot of paint loss along the lower section of the right edge. There is a faint stretcher mark running vertically through the centre of the composition. There are fine and stable lines of shrinkage to the pigment to the seated figure on the left of the composition, to the background beneath the sign at the right of the composition and to the tray of food. This work is in overall good condition.
"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."

The history of Maxim's de Paris goes all the way back to 1893 when a little bistro was opened by Maxime Gaillard. By 1900, in time for the Universal Exhibition, the bistro had transformed into an Art Nouveau masterpiece and became a fashionable locus point for the Parisian elite. This particular restaurant, depicted in Jean Louis Forain's Une nuit chez Maxim's, maintained its legendary reputation throughout the 20th Century and remains an internationally recognised name today.

To be included in the forthcoming Jean-Louis Forain Catalogue raisonné being prepared by Mme Valdes Forain.