Marie Méloè Marsaud Née Lafon, Charity, Oil On Canvas, Circa 1840, Female Artist, Sketch

Marie Méloè Marsaud née Lafon (1817-1882)

Charity
Sketch circa 1840

Oil on canvas, signed lower left

Marie M Lafon Daughter of Pierre Lafon, renowned actor and secretary of the Comédie-Française, Marie Méloè Lafon grew up in a family that entertained all the political, artistic, and literary celebrities of her time. Her brother Achille became an army officer. The young woman received artistic training that allowed her to exhibit for the first time at the Salon des Artistes Français in 1835. She won a third-class medal in 1836 and exhibited there every year until 1841, primarily portraits and biblical subjects.

She presented a painting at the 1857 Salon, "Faith, Hope, and Charity on the Ruins of a Pagan Temple," probably similar to our sketch.

Canvas dimensions: 45.5 x 38 cm