Description:
Jean Jacques Henner (French, 1829-1905)
Etude de Liseuse, 1900
Estate stamped "J.J. HENNER" l.l., identified on a label from Schweitzer Gallery,
New York, affixed to the backing.
Oil on artist board, 7 x 8 3/4 in. (17.8 x 22.2 cm),framed.
Condition: Subtle bowing, minor surface grime.
Provenance: Estate of the artist (identified as no. "1196 Etude de Liseuse, 20 x 17, 1900" on the artist's studio inventory list); by descent to nephew and heir Jules Henner c. 1905; [...]; Schweitzer Gallery, New York; private Massachusetts collection.
N.B. We wish to thank Isabelle de Lannoy for her kind assistance cataloging the lot; the work will be included in Volume 3 of her Catalogue Raisonné Henner.
Henner created two versions of Liseuse; the present work is a study for the 1886 version (see Catalogue Raisonné Henner, C. 840, Vol. 2, p. 69),which is now lost. The 1886 version was itself a variant of an 1883 version that is in the Musee d'Orsay permanent collection (see Catalogue Raisonné Henner, C. 740, Vol. 2, p. 36). De Lannoy also notes that the octagonal label on the reverse is consistent with Jules Henner's inventory of his uncle's studio contents, and below it is a half envelope (probably by Frederique Dujardin, his sister-in-law) from Bernwiller (Alsace region) to Jules Henner who lived in Paris at 41 rue La Bruyere.
Estimate $800-1,200
Tack holes to u.r., u.l., and l.l. corners; craquelure to varnish l.r.; subtle rippling to artist board; minor retouch to abrasion l.l. measuring approx. 1 1/2 in. length; no additional condition issues to report.