Antoine VIERLING (1842-1917) Lot n° 9

L'atelier du peintre, 1881 Oil on canvas, signed and dated lower left 30 1/4 x 37 3/4 in. Antoine Vierling, a history and genre painter, watercolourist, pastellist and draughtsman, was born in Nancy in 1842 and died there in 1917. This 1881 work is a genre scene with an atypical format and many highly amusing details. The format is in fact that of a history painting, which immerses us in the artist's studio, filled with myriad curiosities. The painting within a painting being pointed out to his model by the artist himself was a theme much in vogue since the 17th century. Humour and lightness of touch are the watchwords here: the colours are bright and lively, and the eye is drawn by the wealth of unusual, exotic objects. The endless details in this large composition deserve close attention. The gestures of the characters illustrate the prevailing merriment. As can be seen from her bent attitude, the young woman being painted, in a pink dress, is chatting to her friend as she lounges on the sofa, fanning herself limply, while the artist, who has donned an Oriental costume, throws back his head as though laughing. The intimacy of the scene is obvious: the three companions have clearly met many times during the long hours of sitting, and are now celebrating the successful conclusion of the work.