“Young Naval Conscript” Antique French Painting by Julien Le Blant

JULIEN LE BLANT
French, 1851-1936

"Le Départ des Conscrits" (1888)

Oil on canvas | Signed lower left "J. Le Blant"

26" H x 38 1/4" W [canvas]
30" H x 40 1/2" W x 2" D [frame]

A moving study of a very young man hugging and kissing his father goodbye as the French Navy has arrived at his home to collect him for conscription to military service. His mother grips a hankerchief in one hand as she watches her teenage son with a complex expression that bridges grief and perhaps anger. His younger brother likely does not grasp the totality of the situation, dragging behind his feet a toy boat. The bright colors and vibrant life of the rural farm is juxtaposed against a deep sorrow.

The present example dates from 1888 and was mentioned in the Gazette anecdotique et Littéraire of the same year. It is included in the ongoing catalogue project on the works of Julien Le Blant by Dominique Formaz.

JULIEN LE BLANT
Julien Le Blant studied under E. Girard and made his debut at Salon in 1874. His work was regularly recognized, ultimately receiving the gold medal at the 1889 Exposition Universelle. He was made Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur in 1885. The body of his work largely focuses on military scenes, particularly of the French Revolution, but also scenes of the First World War later in life. He completed hundreds of illustrations for a great number of books, including Les Chouans (Honoré de Balzac), Chevalier des Touches (Barbey d'Aurevilly), and Premier Grenadier de France (Paul Déroulède) to name a few. His work is held in major museum collections and institutions around the world.

Work by Julien Le Blant vis ery rarely available on the open market.

Museum Collections:

Musée de Mulhouse, France - The Regiment's Return
Musée de Nantes, France - Death of General d'Elbee
Musée de Troyes, France - The Battle of Fére Champenoise

Further Reading and Notes:

E. Benezit Dictionary of Artists, vol. VIII, Gründ, p. 588-9
Popular Nineteenth Century Painting: A Dictionary of European Genre Painters, Hook and Poltimore, p. 418 and p. 424

Condition Report: Relined on new stretcher, frame is late 20th century with some edge wear and loss/rubbing to the gilding; professionally conserved, cleaned and with a traditional Damar varnish applied; there is an all-over light craquelure, surface remaining tight and vibrant; extreme edges of the painting with some loss that is hidden by the edges of the frame. Very minor observed inpainting visible under UV (see images under UV). While the cart does not flare under UV, there is ghosting of the wheels and some changing texture in this lower-left quadrant suggestive of old restoration or a reconfiguration by the artist. Overall a very fine presentation, ready to place.

ref. 301OIV16Z