Showrooms

"Diane Sortant du Bain" after Francois Boucher in Pressed Tin Frame, 1875

Offered by: Robert James Walsh & Company

Description
"Diane au Bain", is a 19th century homage to the painting "Diane Sortant du Bain" by the Rococo master Francois Boucher (1703-1770), the favorite artist of Madame du Pompadour, mistress of Louis XV. The original painting, created in 1742 in Paris, was purchased by the Louvre in 1852. It was put on display to great acclaim in France, and was copied many times by other artists, students, and printmakers. This particular homage was probably painted in person at the museum display, and it is done in oil paint on canvas but with no signature or date. On the reverse, the artist titled the painting "Diane au Bain". It is of terrific quality with quick brush strokes and fine detail, but there are some minor background details missing or altered in appearance from the original.
The frame is heavy and elaborate, made of pressed tin over thin steel panels, a renovation of the Industrial Age. On the reverse side is hand-written: "[illegible}...F. Boucher, Diane au Bain". This copy captures the spirit and atmosphere of the original Rococo art, including the nude Diana's crown of pearls and crescent moon headpiece, her rosy skin tones, red lips and beautiful face, her nude attendant (missing some ribbons of the original), the two hunting dogs, her bow, quiver and arrows, and the game she has hunted including birds and rabbits. The lavish silk fabric on which she sits mimics the blue fabric in the original but here it is greenish and is duller because of the need for cleaning. In this version, the details of the foliage and some branches in the background are more subtle. Other differences from the original are: Diana's attendant is looking further down than in the original, obscuring her eyes; and the reeds above her head are shorter than those by Boucher. This lovely painting and its tin frame need cleaning for them to be as bright and delicate and grand as the original Rococo art. This painting descended in a New York/Connecticut family since being traded for payment in 1948 between the French antiques and art dealer/exporter, Mart Swan, and her New York marine insurance broker, Charles M. Schmitt. It has never been altered from that date. It is being offered in the "as found" state, which you can see here is quite beautiful.
The sight dimensions are 22.75"W x 17.5"H, as in the original painting. The overall framed dimensions are listed below.

More Information

In the Style of:	Francois Boucher
Origin:	France
Period:	19th Century
Materials:	Oil paint on canvas in pressed tin frame
Condition:	Fair. Needs cleaning to remove 150 years of dirt accumulation. The heavy frame has slight denting in areas. There is overall craquelure which is appropriate for the age of the work.
Creation Date:	1870-1880
Styles / Movements:	Old Master, Realism, Other
Catalog References:	See the original at https://www.louvre.fr/en
Dealer Reference #:	RCWE19-110
Incollect Reference #:	702374

Dimensions

W.	34.5 in;	H.	20.5 in;	D.	3 in;
W.	87.63 cm;	H.	52.07 cm;	D.	7.62 cm;

Message from Seller:

Robert James Walsh & Company is a thirty-year-old Vermont business dealing in antiques, art, and modernism. Robert Walsh, owner, is also an Accredited Member of Appraisers Association of America, as well as a respected consultant. We have participated in many international trade shows in the US and Canada.