Jean-baptiste Mallet Attributed To "the Wait"

Attributed to Jean-Baptiste Mallet. Oil on panel, "The Wait," unsigned. 28.6 x 33 cm. French School. Jean-Baptiste Mallet (1759-1835) was a student of Léonor Mérimée (1757-1836) and Pierre-Paul Prud'hon (1758-1823). He exhibited at the Salon from 1791 to 1824. An old Bénézit dictionary of painters and sculptors describes the artist's career in these terms: "He painted in the graceful style and was one of the victors of Empire-style painting. Although there is a great deal of affectation and false sentimentality in his works, he nevertheless produced some paintings and drawings in which he demonstrated genuine talent... Fashion is capricious, and these subjects, which yesterday seemed affected, delight us today precisely because of their affectation. Everything has been said about the vagaries of fashion." Several national museums hold works by him. Our painting is a fine example of the Empire style that Mallet masterfully brought to life. Modern painted and patinated wooden frame. Good condition. 2200 euros.