The Smoker In The Studio By Jean De La Hoese (1846–1917)

Woman with a Cigarette in the Painter's Studio. Mahogany panel, 36 x 19.5 cm. Excellent condition. Signed and dated '81' (for 1881 in the upper left corner). Sold framed. Price: 2250 Euros. The work: A work of character and modernity, "The Smoker" is not simply a society portrait; it is a bold testament to the Belle Époque. The painting depicts a young woman with a strong attitude, defying the conventions of her time, a cigarette in her hand. The striking contrast between the dark velvet dress and the delicate white lace collar demonstrates the artist's talent as a colorist. The brushwork is free, with generous impasto that gives a particular vibrancy to the paint, especially on the straw hat and the drapery in the background. The slender format accentuates the elegance of the figure and the presence of the model. The work has a superb period patina. It is enhanced by an imposing wooden frame which underlines its museum-quality character. The Artist: Jean de la Hoese (Brussels 1846 - Saint-Josse-ten-Noode 1917) Jean de la Hoese was a renowned Belgian painter, primarily known for his refined portraits and genre scenes which express all the grace and elegance of the bourgeois society of the Belle Époque. Born in Brussels, Jean de la Hoese showed a marked interest in painting from a very young age. He studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, where he distinguished himself and was influenced by renowned masters, notably Jean-François Portaels. His style is characterized by great finesse of execution, a particular attention to detail, costumes, and light, giving his works a timeless elegance. His success as a society painter was cemented when he was commissioned to paint the official posthumous portrait of Queen Louise-Marie for the Palace of the Nation. De la Hoese quickly established himself as a portraitist of Belgian high society, painting men, women, and children with great psychological sensitivity and a touch of modernity that made him a privileged witness to his time. He also created intimate interior scenes, often highlighting feminine beauty and hushed atmospheres. One of the recurring themes in Jean de la Hoese's work is the representation of women, symbols of refinement and progressive emancipation. the dawn of the 20th century. In several paintings, he unveils elegantly dressed models, wearing sophisticated hats, and sometimes depicted with a gesture that was daring for the time, such as smoking a cigarette. This detail, far from being insignificant, expresses the full modernity of a rapidly evolving society and reflects the innovative spirit of the artist. His work is now highly sought after by collectors and is featured in major public and private collections, including the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. The painting we are offering for sale, depicting an elegant woman of the period, wearing a hat and smoking a cigarette, perfectly illustrates the art of Jean de la Hoese: the sophistication of the model, the enveloping atmosphere, and the perspective on a society in flux. Numerous exhibitions: Paris, Universal Exhibition 1894; Munich, Glaspalast, Universal Exhibition 1907; Paris, Salon d'Automne, Portrait of Madame A. Desenfans, Portrait of Monsieur Léonce Evrard 1908; Berlin, Exhibition of Belgian Painters (Portrait of the artist's father). The works of Jean de la Hoese are primarily held at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels. His famous portrait of his father is also housed in this institution. Furthermore, some of his works are also present in other museums and collections around the world, notably in the United States, where he enjoyed considerable success with the American public, and in museums such as the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Brooklyn Museum. Principal museums where works by Jean de la Hoese can be found: Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium (Brussels), Smithsonian American Art Museum (Washington, DC), Brooklyn Museum (New York), Musée d'Orsay (Paris).