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'A Summer Repast at the House of Lucullus', large oil painting by Boulanger

Creator: Gustave R. Boulanger - Orientalist / Orientalism
Offered by: Mayfair Gallery

Description
'A Summer Repast at the House of Lucullus', large oil painting by Boulanger
French, 1877
Frame: Height 113cm, width 158cm, depth 6cm
Canvas: Height 99.5cm, width 145cm

This beautiful painting was created in 1877 by the well-known French painter, Gustave Clarence Rodolphe Boulanger. Boulanger often produced work which combined the classical and Orientalist style, as is true of this piece. He was a key player in the French Orientalist movement, and was well-acquainted with its important practitioners, such as Jean-Léon Gérome.

Titled, ‘A Summer Repast at the House of Lucullus at Tusculum’, this painting depicts an ancient Roman feast. The centrally-positioned woman, who dances for a group of diners on the left, is the focus of the image. She is dressed in a sheer, white dress, which allows us to partly see her nude body. The woman performs to music, created by a band of musicians, positioned on the right of the canvas. On the left, a group of figures lie on their fronts before a table, which is full of silver dishes and platters. The man dressed in blue, seated at the end of the table — who is presumably Lucullus, the host of the feast — holds out his glass for more wine, which is poured for him by a young boy. Several figures stand nearby, holding wine vessels and fans. In the right-hand distance, the next course of the feast is carried on a table, ready to be brought out after the dance has ended. This scene takes place before a grand, white-stoned classical building, from which a gold-coloured fabric canopy extends, to provide shade for the diners.

Lucullus (118-56BC) was a politician in the late Roman Republic, who famously spent his retirement living a life of luxury. Indeed, the word ‘luxury’ derives from in his name. He is particularly well-known for his banquets, where he provided his guests with fine wine and elaborate meals. Lucullus contributed greatly to fine dining, and was responsible for introducing a species of sweet cherry and apricot to Rome.

The painting is signed, ‘G. Boulanger 1877’ in the lower-right corner. It has been placed within a classically-inspired, carved giltwood frame.

More Information

Documentation:	Signed
Origin:	France
Period:	19th Century
Materials:	Oil on canvas, giltwood.
Creation Date:	1877
Styles / Movements:	Victorian
Dealer Reference #:	15908
Incollect Reference #:	388451

Dimensions

W.	62.2 in;	H.	44.49 in;	D.	2.36 in;
W.	158 cm;	H.	113 cm;	D.	6 cm;

Message from Seller:

Mayfair Gallery is a leading gallery in the field of art and antiques, holding a large collection of unique pieces for sale. The breadth of the gallery’s collection is wide, and includes items from a range of periods, styles and geographical origins, as well as works by famous artists and craftsmen. The main focus of the gallery’s collection is, however, on items produced during the 19th and early 20th century.