Jean Joseph Benjamin-Constant

Estimate

20,000 - 30,000 USD

bidding is closed

Description

Jean Joseph Benjamin-Constant
Femme vue de dos - Study of a ceiling figure in the Opéra, Paris
signed Benj. Constant (lower left); on the reverse two dactylographs read Étude d'après Mademoiselle RACHEL BOYER de la Comédie Française pour l'une des figures du plafond de l'Opéra-Comique / par / Benjamin Constant et Appartient à Mlle Rachel Boyer / 27 Boulevard d'Inkerman / Neuilly sur Seine
oil on canvas
13 3/4 by 18 in.
35 by 46 cm

Provenance

Madame Gaube-Bertin

Exhibited

Paris, École du Louvre, Rachel Boyer, comédienne et philantrope, 1994, no. 4

Catalogue Note

The Opéra-Comique was opened on December 7, 1898 as a replacement for a theater destroyed by fire. Soon after its debut performances, viewing the Opéra-Comique's elaborate interior decoration became nearly as popular as seeing works on stage. Benjamin-Constant was chosen to paint the ceiling of the Opéra, the theme being La Glorification de le musique. The decorative program was intended to detail the great roles for actresses, Carmen, Mireille and Phryné among others. The present work is a preliminary study and the model is the actress Rachel Boyer (1864-1935), celebrated as much for her exuberant spirit as for her fine thespianism.