Lot 75
  • 75

Paul Huet

Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 USD
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Description

  • Paul Huet
  • Medea (after Eugène Delacroix)
  • oil on board
  • 14 by 9 3/8 in.
  • 35.5 by 23.8 cm

Provenance

René Paul Huet (according to a label on the reverse)
M... Perret-Cainot, Neuilly, France (according to a label on the reverse)

Exhibited

Paris, Musée du Louvre, Centenaire du Romantisme, May 1930, no. 81b (as Copie de la Médée de Delacroix)
Bordeaux, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Exposition Delacroix, May 17-September 30, 1963, no. 317
Rouen, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Paul Huet, May 28-September 15, 1965, no. 90
London, Heim, Paintings by Paul Huet (1803-1869) and some Contemporary French Sculpture, Winter, 1969, no. 95 (incorrectly catalogued as on canvas)

Literature

Pierre Miquel, Paul Huet, de l'Aube Romantique à l'Aube Impressioniste, Paris, 1962, illustrated p. 222 (as Médée, Étude d'après la Médée de Delacroix).

Condition

On a stable panel. Under UV: Old varnish fluoresces unevenly, inpainting visible along lower right edge.
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

The present work is related to Eugène Delacroix's painting Medea of 1862 (Musée de Lille).  When exhibited in Bordeaux, Huet’s composition was dated to 1864 (the year of Delacroix's death).  However, it is possible that the painting may date circa 1862 as it was completed in conjunction with Huet’s documented attempt to persuade Delacroix to make Medea’s expression reflect the impassioned murder of her children (Pierre Miquel and Marion Spencer, Paintings by Paul Huet (1803-1869) and some Contemporary French Sculpture, London, 1969, p. 24). Interestingly, such an emotional force is arguably more immediate in Huet's Medea than Delacroix's finished work.