Ladislaus Bakalowicz

Private Collection, France
Sale: Sotheby's, New York, November 4, 2010, lot 35, illustrated 
Acquired at the above sale 

The following condition report was kindly provided by Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc.: This painting has been restored and should be hung as is. The canvas is lined with glue as an adhesive. There do not appear to be any structural damages. The surface is very attractive. There is a small group of retouches between the two dogs in the lower center. There is a retouch to the right of the young boy in the lower right, and a retouch in the upper center of the right edge. There do not appear to be any other retouches, and the painting is certainly beautifully preserved.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

La place de la Madeleine is named after the nineteenth century neoclassical church at the center of Paris. Since its consecration in 1845, its monumental steps have afforded one of the city's most famous panoramas. While today La place de la Madeleine is most notable for its gourmet food shops, its famous flower market has attracted crowds since its establishment in 1832. One such flower stall, set below the massive Corinthian columns of the Madeleine, is depicted in Bakalowicz's present work. Shelves full of various arranged bouquets and groups of vibrant potted plants draw the attention of fashionably dressed shoppers. Bakalowicz sets the scene in a low, long horizontal composition, allowing a series of vignettes to play out among the blooms: a couple's quiet courtship at the left, the aggressive hand of a bargaining flower seller at center, and a smoking street urchin at the right. The present work has a kinship with the historical and literary paintings that first brought fame to Bakalowicz after his 1863 debut at the Paris Salon. Just as Bakalowicz had described each detail of sixteenth century lavish royal dress and the intricate social graces of courtly life with works like Henri III, His Favorites, and Bussy D'Ambrose Attending the Wedding of Saint Luc (sold in these rooms November 3, 1999, lot 90), A Flower Market at La Madeleine, Paris reveals the social norms of Paris via contemporary fashion and subtle gestures.