Lot 37
  • 37

Jehan Georges Vibert

Estimate
50,000 - 70,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Jehan Georges Vibert
  • The Canon's Dinner
  • signed J. G. Vibert and dated 1875 (lower right)
  • oil on panel
  • 21 by 28 7/8 in.
  • 53.3 by 73.3 cm

Provenance

John T. Martin, Brooklyn (by circa 1880 and sold, his sale, American Art Association, New York, April 15-16, 1909, lot 27, illustrated)
George Crocker, New York (acquired at the above sale and sold by his Estate, American Art Association, New York, January 24, 1912, lot 44, illustrated)
Mrs. Peter W. Rouss (acquired at the above sale and sold, American Art Associaton/Anderson Galleries, New York, October 22, 1936, lot 78, illustrated)
Hugo Lehrfeld, New York (acquired at the above sale)
Thence by descent to the present owner

Literature

Edward Strahan, ed., The Art Treasures of America, Philadelphia, 1879, vol. III, pp. 61-2, illustrated opp. p. 61; in the 1977 facsimile edition, vol. II. pp. 127-8, 130, illustrated opp. p. 128 (as La Sainte Collation)

 

 

Condition

This painting is on a cradled panel and appears to be clean. Under UV, there is evidence of restoration to a horizontal crack through the center of the painting, as well as to two short cracks in the upper left, and another in the lower right, corresponding to the joins in the panel.
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.

Catalogue Note

In the late nineteenth century the collection of Brooklyn’s John T. Martin was considered one of the very best in the United States (see also lot 56).  When viewing the present lot in Martin’s galleries for his The Art Treasures of America the always verbose Edward Strahan asked: “is there any basis for the current notion that the appreciation of good cooking rises with the advance in ecclesiastical preferment?” (1977 facsimile edition, p. 127)  Strahan’s question is particularly pointed when considering Vibert’s detailed, painted feast of a large red lobster and plump goose served with all manner of culinary accoutrements.  As was his trademark, Vibert gently satirizes the clergy as the prelate enjoys his luxe meal while, according to Strahan, his “secretary, whose reception of nutriment is so entirely vicarious, may find the present a favorable occasion for learning that the true enjoyment of the table is not mere feeding, but the intelligent appreciation of sensation” (p. 127).