Portrait Of A Man, Signed And Dated 1900 By Philippe Lattard, Active In The Late 19th Century

Philippe Lattard, an excellent portraitist active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, remains a rather mysterious figure because he has little or no documentation.
Portraitist of the good bourgeoisie, we know that he exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1889 under n°1552 a Portrait de l'archevêque de Reims about which we know nothing more, the salon exhibition catalog gives no further information other than the beginning of adedication: "Portrait de mon ami R ... archevêque de Reims". This Catalogue illustré du salon de 1889, Paris, peinture & sculpture reproduces only a very limited number of worksand this Portrait painted by Philippe Lattard is not included.
In any case, it makes us understand that Philpppe Lattard had relations and was "friend" with the Archbishop of Reims. He was therefore a member of the good bourgeoisie of the time.
As the large and handsome Portrait du commandant Audibert, signed and dated 1901, which went on sale at Christie's in 2015.
Our Portrait d'homme dates from the same years, as it bearsafter the painter's signature, the date 1900.
This expressive, very present portrait is undoubtedly that of a notable, the manof good bearing, in his early thirties, with beard, sideburns and moustache, his white silk tie is studded with a pearl, attesting to his refinedcharacter.
No mention on the back of the painting indicates the identity or function of the model.of the model.
It is presented in its beautiful period frame.