Watercolor By Charles Toché - Pour Flaubert - With Frédéric Mistral - 1881
Artist: Charles Toché (1851-1916)
Introduction
The work we present today is a major work for anyone interested in these three men. Charles Toché, on the one hand, considered the most prestigious watercolorist of all time."(Gustave Babin, Comoedia, Oct. 23, 1929). Gustave Flaubert, who submitted the idea to the painter during an evening at the Château de Chenonceau and finally Frédéric Mistral, who poses for the artist.
Description of the work
Charles Toché created this watercolor with the intention of illustrating Flaubert's book "La tentation de Saint-Antoine". Frédéric Mistral, posing for him, is the Intendant of the Queen of Sheba.
Dressed in a simple, totally exuberant pink and blue cape whose white upper part has the semblance of lace. Mistral wears a blue and yellow orientalist chèche on his head, seemingly crowned with a crimson pompom.
The body naked and muscular, only his private parts are hidden by an oriental jewel held by a necklace resting on his hips.
In his right hand, he holds a cigarette, provocatively or bantering as the commentators of the time felt. (Deuzem in l'Art et la Mode March 7, 1891).
Lower left "Study for Gustave Flaubert's illustration 'La tentation de Saint-Antoine'
Charles Toché, Chenonceau 1881.
The work measures 128x78cm with its frame and 100x50cm the drawing alone.
Historical context
Charles Toché produced the work "The Steward of the Queen of Sheba" in 1881 at the Château de Chenonceau, where he had been working for several years on the decorations for the château's grand gallery. It was in the spring of 1878 that he met the writer Gustave Flaubert. That evening, accompanied by the owner, Flaubert recited two of his works, Salammbô and La Tentation de Saint-Antoine. It was an artistic shock for all present. Charles Toché admires Flaubert and the two artists become friends. (Le Temps, January 19 1887).
It was at this point that Toché decided to illustrate Flaubert's La Tentation de Saint-Antoine. He immediately set to work, in the Château de Chenonceau itself. Toché is a watercolorist, a virtuoso, his works are "so vigorous, so powerful, so original, so lived" exclaims a journalist of the time.
The model chosen by Toché, to embody "L'intendant de la reine de Saba"is Frédéric Mistral. The great félibrige poses for the artist, who turns him into a muscular man wearing an oriental chèche in a lush cloak, a cigarette in his hand. This painting, completed in 1881, a few weeks after Flaubert's death, was a great success. The press praised the work as one of the artist's most "powerful". In 1891, it was already described as "famous". (Le Pays, June 4, 1891)
It comes"to complete the characterization of the work of Charles Toché", "the most prestigious watercolorist of all time."(Gustave Babin, Comoedia, Oct. 23, 1929).
History of the work
1880-1881: Charles Toché created the work entitled "L'intendant de la reine de Saba"
January 15, 1887: it was exhibited for the first time in Paris at the Georges Petit gallery
February 1891: Toché exhibits the work at the Salon des Aquarellistes
June 3, 1891: work exhibited at Drouot
June 4, 1891: sale at Drouot
Since in the family by succession to us.
The work we present today is a major work for anyone interested in these three men. Charles Toché, on the one hand, considered the most prestigious watercolorist of all time."(Gustave Babin, Comoedia, Oct. 23, 1929). Gustave Flaubert, who submitted the idea to the painter during an evening at the Château de Chenonceau and finally Frédéric Mistral, who poses for the artist.
Description of the work
Charles Toché created this watercolor with the intention of illustrating Flaubert's book "La tentation de Saint-Antoine". Frédéric Mistral, posing for him, is the Intendant of the Queen of Sheba.
Dressed in a simple, totally exuberant pink and blue cape whose white upper part has the semblance of lace. Mistral wears a blue and yellow orientalist chèche on his head, seemingly crowned with a crimson pompom.
The body naked and muscular, only his private parts are hidden by an oriental jewel held by a necklace resting on his hips.
In his right hand, he holds a cigarette, provocatively or bantering as the commentators of the time felt. (Deuzem in l'Art et la Mode March 7, 1891).
Lower left "Study for Gustave Flaubert's illustration 'La tentation de Saint-Antoine'
Charles Toché, Chenonceau 1881.
The work measures 128x78cm with its frame and 100x50cm the drawing alone.
Historical context
Charles Toché produced the work "The Steward of the Queen of Sheba" in 1881 at the Château de Chenonceau, where he had been working for several years on the decorations for the château's grand gallery. It was in the spring of 1878 that he met the writer Gustave Flaubert. That evening, accompanied by the owner, Flaubert recited two of his works, Salammbô and La Tentation de Saint-Antoine. It was an artistic shock for all present. Charles Toché admires Flaubert and the two artists become friends. (Le Temps, January 19 1887).
It was at this point that Toché decided to illustrate Flaubert's La Tentation de Saint-Antoine. He immediately set to work, in the Château de Chenonceau itself. Toché is a watercolorist, a virtuoso, his works are "so vigorous, so powerful, so original, so lived" exclaims a journalist of the time.
The model chosen by Toché, to embody "L'intendant de la reine de Saba"is Frédéric Mistral. The great félibrige poses for the artist, who turns him into a muscular man wearing an oriental chèche in a lush cloak, a cigarette in his hand. This painting, completed in 1881, a few weeks after Flaubert's death, was a great success. The press praised the work as one of the artist's most "powerful". In 1891, it was already described as "famous". (Le Pays, June 4, 1891)
It comes"to complete the characterization of the work of Charles Toché", "the most prestigious watercolorist of all time."(Gustave Babin, Comoedia, Oct. 23, 1929).
History of the work
1880-1881: Charles Toché created the work entitled "L'intendant de la reine de Saba"
January 15, 1887: it was exhibited for the first time in Paris at the Georges Petit gallery
February 1891: Toché exhibits the work at the Salon des Aquarellistes
June 3, 1891: work exhibited at Drouot
June 4, 1891: sale at Drouot
Since in the family by succession to us.
7 500 €
Period: 19th century
Style: Napoleon 3rd
Condition: Excellent condition
Material: Paper
Width: 78
Height: 128
Reference (ID): 1747853
Availability: In stock
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