Maurice Denis

Galerie Druet, Paris
Acquis du précédent en 1932 par la famille du propriétaire actuel

Paris, Galerie Druet, Maurice Denis, 1921, no. 40
Venise, Biennale, 1922, no. 48 (figure sur une photographie d'ensemble de l'exposition)
Pittsburgh, Institut Carnegie, 22ème exposition internationale de peinture moderne, 1923, no. 184
Tokyo, 1924
Buenos Aires, 1926
Oslo, Helsingfors, 1927
Bruxelles, Galerie Giroux, Maurice Denis, 1928
Bruxelles, Galerie Giroux, Peinture française, 1928
Perros-Guirec, Maurice Denis, 1985, no. 105

The canvas is not lined. There is no evidence of retouching under UV light. Apart from some light frame rubbing, this work is in very good original condition.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

signed 'Maurice Denis' and dated '1921' (lower left), oil on canvas. Painted in 1921.

Jeune berger sicilien, Acis est aimé de Galatée, fille du dieu marin Nérée. Le Cyclope Polyphème, jaloux de leurs amours les surprend tous les deux et tue Acis dans un élan de colère. Inconsolable, Galatée prie les dieux de transformer le sang qui s'épanche du corps du jeune homme en un fleuve dont le flot s'écoulerait à jamais dans la mer.
Pour dépeindre cet épisode tiré des Métamorphoses d'Ovide, Maurice Denis puise son inspiration dans divers éléments de son quotidien : au premier plan, le berger Acis et la nymphe Galatée présentent ainsi les traits de ses enfants Dominique et Madeleine. La scène se déroule à Perros-Guirrec, devant l'île Tomé que l'on devine à l'arrière-plan, près de la grotte de la pointe du Château à l'opposé de laquelle Maurice Denis possède une maison depuis 1908. 

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A young Sicilian shepherd, Acis, falls in love with Galatea, the daughter of the marine god Nereid.  The Cyclops Polyphemus, jealous of their love, kills Acis in a fit of rage.  Inconsolable, Galatea begs the gods to turn the blood spilt from the body of the young man into a river which will forever flow into the sea.

In order to depict this episode taken from Ovid's Metamorphosis, Maurice Denis takes inspiration from various aspects of his daily life: in the foreground the shepherd Acis and the nymph Galatea have the facial features of his own children Dominique and Madeleine.  The scene takes place at Perros-Guirrec, in front of the island of Tomé which we glimpse in the background, near the castle opposite which Denis had owned a house since 1908.