{"title":"Fine Art Collection: $50,000 - $99,999","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"red-rose-in-a-standing-vase-by-martin-johnson-heade","title":"Red Rose in a Standing Vase by Martin Johnson Heade","description":"Martin Johnson Heade\u003cbr\u003e 1819-1904 | American \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eRed Rose in a Standing Vase\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed and dated \"M J Heade 1883\" (lower left)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on board \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This stunning oil on canvas represents the great Martin Johnson Heade's lifelong fascination with the natural world of flora and fauna. The celebrated landscape and still life painter devoted his career to capturing the beauty of nature on canvas, and his greatest achievements are his depictions of flowers such as this. Exactingly rendered with the precision of a naturalist, this still life of a rose with its crimson petals shows his mastery over texture and color. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e By the time this work was completed in 1883, Heade was well established as a painter of both landscapes and still lifes. It was also the year he married and moved to St. Augustine, Florida, where he experienced a period of renewed creativity and well being in his new tropical setting. The rose, with its illusions to romance, its intoxicating fragrance and its dramatic red hue, was the perfect subject for this stage in his life. Not only does he capture the bloom with a lush and sensuous beauty, but he also imbues the work a sense of mystery that is enhanced by the darkened setting. In its seeming simplicity, the still life reveals the subtle complexity of Heade's best works. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in Pennsylvania in 1819, Heade received his earliest artistic training from the painter Edward Hicks. At the age of 19, he took his first trip abroad to live in Rome for two years. Upon his return in 1841, he exhibited for the first time at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, and just two years later showed a portrait at New York's National Academy of Design. By the mid-1850s, Heade turned away from the portrait painting that dominated his early career, instead experimenting with landscape under the tutelage of Frederic Edwin Church. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Not soon after, Heade also began his pursuit of still life painting, becoming the only artist of his generation to be proficient in both genres. By the 1880s, he was well established and had earned the patronage of Henry Morrison Flagler, a wealthy oil and railroad magnate who would purchase several dozen of his works over the next decades. Today, Heade's paintings can be found in important museum collections, including the Museum of Fine Arts (Boston), the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), the National Gallery of Art (Washington D.C.), the North Carolina Museum of Art, and many others. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Dated 1883 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Board: 16\" high x 8\" wide\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 27 3\/4\" high x 19 3\/4\" wide \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Berry-Hill Galleries, Inc., New York\u003cbr\u003e Acquired in 1977 from the above by Jay P. Altmayer, Palmetto Hall, Alabama\u003cbr\u003e Richard Greene Fine Paintings, London\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, New York\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Literature:\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eThe Life and Works of Martin Johnson Heade\u003c\/em\u003e, New Haven, 1975, by T.E. Stebbins, p. 258, no. 234 (illustrated)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eThe Life and Works of Martin Johnson Heade: A Critical Analysis and a Catalogue Raisonné\u003c\/em\u003e, New Haven and London, 2000, by T.E. Stebbins, pp. 155, 327, no. 511 (illustrated)","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44528169910407,"sku":"30-9149","price":88500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/30-9149_1_516effe2-88bd-44a0-b2d8-13c90d639e2c.png?v=1777556602"},{"product_id":"dancer-fastening-the-string-of-her-tights-by-edgar-degas","title":"Dancer Fastening the String of Her Tights by Edgar Degas","description":"Edgar Degas\u003cbr\u003e\n1834-1917 | French\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDancer Fastening the String of Her Tights\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nSigned, numbered, dated, and stamped with foundry mark “Degas \/ 33|G \/ 1998 \/ CIRE C.VALSUANI PERDUE”\u003cbr\u003e\nBronze\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThis graceful little dancer is a superb example of the sculptural works created by the great Impressionist Edgar Degas. Degas had an extraordinary talent for capturing the natural movements and grace of his figures, particularly in his paintings and sculptures of ballet dancers for which he is best known. In the present bronze, he uses a dramatic, twisting contrapposto pose in order to depict his dancer in motion as she contorts backwards to tighten the string of her tights. His works such as this reveal the mechanics of the ballet that happen beyond the beauty on stage, lending his works a remarkable sense of life and intimacy.\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThroughout his career, Degas became obsessed with capturing the dancer in motion, both on stage and in the dressing room. Of the seventy-four wax sculptures created by Degas during his lifetime, forty of them depicted dancers. The present work boasts one of the more original poses from among these - rather than an arabesque, Degas captures his dancer undertaking a far more private and intimate task. Unlike some of his works that depict women doing their toilette, the bronze is elegant rather than awkward, as Degas transforms the simple act of tying a string into a pleasing and fluid pose.\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe work is a sought-after rarity in terms of Degas’ sculptures. Not only are his dancers the most desirable of his work, but this bronze is also distinguished by the fact that it is a Valsuani bronze, meaning it faithfully records Degas’ wax version’s pose as it appeared at the time of its creation. Most Degas' bronzes that are found on the market were cast by Hébrard – these serialized bronzes are surmoulages, or “aftercasts,” that were cast from the modèle bronzes currently in the Norton Simon Museum (Pasadena). Because these bronzes are second generation, they are smaller and far less detailed that the current bronze.\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThis example, however, was cast by Valsuani from a plaster that was taken directly from Degas’ waxes, according to scholarship by the art historian Dr. Gregory Hedberg. These plasters were created by Degas’ sculptor friend Albert Bartholomé shortly after Degas completed his wax figurines. Thus, they record the earliest versions of Degas’ wax sculptures, before they were damaged by time or handling, and before Degas himself altered the works. The Hébrard bronzes, on the other hand, actually represent Degas’ reworking of the original sculptures.\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nBecause they are cast directly from the plaster, the Valsuani bronzes are also larger, crisper, and more highly defined than the Hébrard bronzes. Since the original plasters were discovered in the 1990s, similar Valsuani bronzes have been exhibited around the world, including The Hermitage (St. Petersburg) and the Minneapolis Institute of Art.\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nOriginal wax model executed circa 1885-1890\u003cbr\u003e\nBronze cast 1998\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n16 5\/8\" high x 8 1\/2\" wide x 7 1\/2\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43316796489863,"sku":"30-9143","price":98500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/30-9143_1_36fec41c-c760-40af-84ce-7dd2f90299a3.png?v=1760369097"},{"product_id":"boy-fishing-statue-by-goldscheider","title":"Boy Fishing Statue by Goldscheider","description":"This exceptional and monumental terracotta sculpture was crafted at Vienna’s renowned Goldscheider manufactory. This enchanting sculpture, model #1225, depicts a charming genre scene of a young boy fishing. Originally part of a series of children designed by Haniroff, one of Goldscheider’s renowned artisans, this endearing piece is quintessential Goldscheider, representing the avant-garde design of the Art Nouveau period. Goldscheider was among the most dominant ceramic manufactories of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, employing some of the most gifted artists working in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles. The quality and condition of this sculpture are exemplary of Goldscheider at its best.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1893 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 48\" high x 14\" wide x 30\" deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Literature:\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eGoldscheider\u003c\/em\u003e, Ora Pinhas, 2006, page 32\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eTerres cuites orientalistes et africanistes 1860-1940,\u003c\/em\u003e Stéphane Richemond, 1999, page 101, figure 53","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42865486561415,"sku":"30-3338","price":64500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/30-3338_1.png?v=1751462686"},{"product_id":"mutine-by-guillaume-seignac","title":"Mutine by Guillaume Seignac","description":"Guillaume Seignac \u003cbr\u003e 1870-1924 | French  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Mutine \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “G. Seignac” (lower right)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A mischievous maiden dominates this garden scene by French Academic artist Guillaume Seignac. Grounded in the Classical tradition, his works, his works bring to life nymphs, muses and Greco-Roman gods and goddesses in ethereal settings based on antiquity. The present work is imbued with the exquisite luminosity of his best works, capturing an idealized female nude within a lush landscape complete with a classical fountain and Grecian urn. Masterfully rendered in the Academic style, \u003cem\u003eMutine\u003c\/em\u003e exemplifies the artist’s skill in capturing the inherent sensuality and beauty of his classically-inspired subjects. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in Rennes in 1870, Guillaume Seignac began his training in Paris in 1889 at the Academie Julian. He worked primarily as a student of William Bouguereau, whose influence can be seen in both the style and subject matter of his work. Seignac frequently exhibited at the Paris Salon, and his meticulousness and a keen sense of balance and color won him numerous medals, including an honorable mention in 1900 and a third-class medal in 1903.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Trained in the Academic style of the École des Beaux-Arts, Seignac embraced both the techniques and classical subject matter of the Italian Renaissance masters, whose work enjoyed a surge in popularity in Paris in the late 19th century. As with most French Academic painters, Seignac’s technical skills are masterful, while his color balances and compositional style are on par with the great artists of the Renaissance. During his lifetime, Seignac’s compositions appealed to both traditional art buyers and avant-garde connoisseurs alike, and he enjoyed financial success and critical acclaim. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Late 19th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 24” high x 14 1\/4” wide\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 35 1\/4” high x 25 5\/8” wide","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44245969698951,"sku":"30-1674","price":98500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/30-1674_1.png?v=1785327636"},{"product_id":"femme-aux-souliers-noir-by-jules-pascin","title":"Femme aux souliers noir by Jules Pascin","description":"Jules Pascin\u003cbr\u003e 1885-1930 | Bulgarian-French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eFemme aux souliers noir\u003cbr\u003e (Woman in Black Shoes)\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"Pascin\" (lower left)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This intimate portrait was composed by the Bulgarian-born French Expressionist painter Jules Pascin. Known as the \"Prince of Montparnasse,\" Pascin made a name for himself throughout both Europe and the United States as a painter of woman, often while nude or in various stages of undress. Undoubtedly influenced by the French Impressionists, particularly Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Pascin developed a highly gestural style that is uniquely his own. \u003cem\u003eFemme aux souliers noir\u003c\/em\u003e displays the unique qualities that made his work so groundbreaking during his lifetime. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Though he was born in Bulgaria and became a United States citizen in 1920, Pascin spent most of his career is Paris, and he is regarded today as a French painter. It was on his return to France from the United States in 1923 when his so-called \u003cem\u003enacrée\u003c\/em\u003e, or \"pearly,\" style began to emerge in his work; the present painting dates to this same period. In it, one can see how Pascin adopted a more fluid touch in his paint application, working with almost dry brushes. The technique allowed him to make his tones more transparent, lending a ghostly, immaterial quality to his figures. This portrait perfectly embodies the atmospheric qualities of his \u003cem\u003enacrée\u003c\/em\u003e period. Less sensual than his nudes, \u003cem\u003eFemme aux souliers noir\u003c\/em\u003e nevertheless displays the earthy softness and intimate charm that made the artist so successful. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in Vidin, Bulgaria in 1885, Pascin grew up part of an affluent Sephardic Jewish family. He attended university in Austria and Germany, though he eventually moved to Paris in 1905. Encountering the Parisian Modernist movement changed the trajectory of his career, and he soon began exhibiting his prints and drawings at the Salon des Indépendants. He achieved a great deal of success and fame early in his career, particularly in North America, so much so that he chose to become a United States citizen in 1920. Tragically, however, he fell prey to depression and alcoholism, and committed suicide in 1930 at the age of 45. Today, his work can be found in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), the Museum of Modern Art (New York), the Louvre (Paris), the Art Institute of Chicago and others. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1923 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 24\" high x 18\" wide\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 33 1\/4\" high x 27\" wide","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42967690182791,"sku":"31-1161","price":98500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-1161_1.png?v=1753982692"},{"product_id":"saint-mary-magdalene-on-alabaster-with-pietre-dure-frame","title":"Saint Mary Magdalene on Alabaster with Pietre Dure Frame","description":"This incredibly rare 17th-century oil on alabaster depicts the Saint Mary Magdalene, rendered after Italian Baroque painter Guido Reni’s masterpiece of the same name. Saint Mary Magdalene gazes upward towards the heavens in a penitent pose, as two putti-like cherubs float above. Depicted with luxurious, long hair draped over her body — symbolizing the saint’s inherent sensuality — her outstretched hand rests on the iconic skull that faithfully accompanies her likeness in religious art. Surrounding this magnificent painting are superb pietre dure hardstone inlays of jasper, agate and lapis lazuli, mingled with Roman silver on an ebonized wood frame. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e One of his most popular subjects in the 1620s and 1630s, Mary Magdalene was something of an iconographic specialty for Reni, who executed various versions to please a public that prized them and continually requested them. Reni’s original 1633 Saint Mary Magdalene canvas on which this oil on alabaster is based was painted for Cardinal Antonio Santacroce and now resides in the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica in Rome. A similar, smaller oil on canvas depicting Mary Magdalene predates this original to 1627 and was formerly housed in the Barberini collection in Rome. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Guido Reni was born in Bologna in 1575 and rose to be the most famous Italian painter of his generation. Though considered a master of the Baroque, Reni’s work showcases a singular classical style that made an indelible mark on the course of art. Active in Rome, Naples and his native Bologna, he became the dominant figure in the Bolognese School that emerged under the influence of early-Baroque master painter and printmaker Carracci. Through his career, Reni collected a robust roster of patrons who were Cardinals and other wealthy clergy of the Vatican papacy. Thus, the Baroque artist is best known for his prolific oeuvre of religious works, though he also had an affinity for mythological and allegorical subjects. His oils and frescoes can be found in the basilicas, churches and palaces of Rome, Naples and Bologna, including the Paoline Chapel of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome as well as the Aldobrandini wings of the Vatican. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Italian, 17th Century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 13 3\/4” high x 12 3\/4” wide \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e References:\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eGuido Reni: L'Opera Completa\u003c\/em\u003e, Novara 1988, by S. Pepper, pp. 335-36, cat. no. 28 (illustrated) \n","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43873689305223,"sku":"31-0484","price":74500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-0484_1.png?v=1770664772"},{"product_id":"escher-inspired-sculpture-cubic-space-division-by-zadora-gerlof","title":"Escher-Inspired Sculpture \"Cubic Space Division\" by Zadora-Gerlof","description":"Famed sculptor Andreas von Zadora-Gerlof takes inspiration from the great M.C. Escher in this monumental sculptural work. One of the world's most famous graphic artists, Escher was celebrated for his mathematically-inspired etchings, woodcuts and drawings. The present work, which is based on his 1952 lithograph entitled \u003cem\u003eCubic Space Division\u003c\/em\u003e, embodies the mind-boggling appeal of Escher's designs. Zadora imparts a remarkable level of detail into the execution of the piece, bringing to life the genius of these two artistic greats, Escher and Zadora. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The concept of infinite space was a common motif for Escher, who often used geometric forms fading into the distance in some of his most famous works. \u003cem\u003eCubic Space Division\u003c\/em\u003e, like so many of his creations, presents a challenge to one's visual perception. The 3-dimensional space is divided by a cubic lattice of uniform cubes connected by rectangular bars in a pattern repeated over and over again. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Escher's creation in \u003cem\u003eCubic Space Division\u003c\/em\u003e evokes a sense of boundlessness in a finite space, and his mathematical approach makes it visually credible. Zadora imparts the same level of mathematical precision in his large-scale version of the work. This monumental steel sculpture has been intricately assembled and powder coated in a dark hue to suggest the drama of the original lithograph. The result is an impressive work of depth and subtly that appropriately pays homage to Escher's original design. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The Canadian-born sculptor Baron Andreas von Zadora-Gerlof is recognized as the world's leading gemstone artist, and his international clientele includes the world's most discerning connoisseurs. His pieces, which range from intricate sculptures such as this to innovative bespoke jewelry, are regarded as the most prized decorative artworks in modern times. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The sculpture is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Created 2014-15 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 60\" wide x 64\" deep x 80\" high \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Exhibited:\u003cbr\u003e Design Days Dubai, March 16-20, 2015","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41238258352263,"sku":"30-8672","price":78500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/30-8672_1.png?v=1717921669"},{"product_id":"dance-of-the-nymphs-by-paul-desire-trouillebert","title":"Dance of the Nymphs by Paul Désiré Trouillebert","description":"Paul Désiré Trouillebert\u003cbr\u003e 1829-1900 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eDance of the Nymphs\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"Trouillebert\" (lower left)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This lyrical landscape entitled \u003cem\u003eDance of the Nymphs\u003c\/em\u003e was composed by the French Barbizon painter Paul Désiré Trouillebert. A joyful scene of nymphs dancing the morning fog, the work closely resembles an important work by the great Camille Corot, which is now housed at the Musée d'Orsay (Paris). Renowned for his unique individuality that toed the line between the traditional and modern, Corot and his landscapes helped pave the way for an entire generation of Impressionists who followed him. Trouillebert perfectly captures the poetic atmosphere of Corot’s groundbreaking works, while also imbuing this scene with a freshness and character that is all his own. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Trouillebert's oil on canvas is exemplary of the tradition of historical painting. The work perfectly combines a realistic depiction of the natural world with a spirited romanticism as his idealized nymph figures frolic playfully beneath a crisp morning sky. As a whole, it is a lovely composition executed with a level of skill and artistry that proves Trouillebert's exceptional talent in the arts. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in Paris in 1829, Paul Désiré Trouillebert was a student of the academic painters Ernest Hébert and Charles Jalabert. Early in his career, he primarily produced portraits and genre scenes, exhibiting his first portrait at the Paris Salon in 1865. By the end of the decade, however, his interest in landscape painting blossomed, and in 1869, he exhibited his first landscape at the Salon to great acclaim. He went on to execute a number of landscapes that recall the mature style of Corot, including the present work, though they remain distinctly Trouillbert in their execution. Today, his paintings can be found in several important private collections, as well as the Lightner Museum (St. Augustine, Florida). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 38 3\/4\" high x 51 1\/2\" wide\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 50\" high x 62 3\/4\" wide","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41913597657223,"sku":"31-1655","price":98500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-1655_1.png?v=1730881855"},{"product_id":"the-letter-by-andrea-landini","title":"The Letter by Andrea Landini","description":"Andrea Landini\u003cbr\u003e 1847-1935 | Italian  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eThe Letter\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “A. Landini” (lower right)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A red-robed cardinal chuckles at the letter in his hand in this oil on canvas by the Italian painter Andrea Landini. The vibrantly hued piece illustrates the artist’s genius at rendering charming narratives in remarkable detail. Entitled \u003cem\u003eThe Letter\u003c\/em\u003e, the work is a superb example of Landini's technical virtuosity — from the finely carved and upholstered chair to the neoclassical painting in the background, every detail is meticulously depicted.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Such works satirizing the clergy would have been severely censured just a generation earlier. Yet, by the time Landini picked up the brush, the European public had grown discontent with the hypocrisy of the clergy, many of whom enjoyed lavish lifestyles. Cardinal paintings such as this became highly popular during the period, and Landini emerged alongside Georges Croegaert, Marcel Brunery and Jehan Georges Vibert as the leading painters of the genre. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in Florence in 1847, Andrea Landini trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, first under the animal painter Riccardo Pasquini and later with religious painter Antonio Ciseri. Landini quickly made a name for himself as a painter of portraits, attracting clients such as the Signora Guerrazzi of Livorno, the contessa Lavinia Bocca, the writer signora Elena Landini Ruffino and the Princess of Wales. While his portraits made him a success during his lifetime, today he is best remembered for his highly detailed genre scenes, and particularly his Cardinal paintings such as this. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 18 1\/4\" high x 15\" wide\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 23 1\/4\" high x 20 1\/2\" wide","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41238364487815,"sku":"31-2429","price":74500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-2429_1_93a457da-a454-422d-8fc6-db4a762246a1.png?v=1720512721"},{"product_id":"masquerade-by-fortunato-galli","title":"Masquerade by Fortunato Galli","description":"Fortunato Galli\u003cbr\u003e 1835-1918 | Italian \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eMasquerade\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"F. Galli FIRENZE\"\u003cbr\u003e White Carrara marble \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eMasquerade\u003c\/em\u003e, a traditional yet playful composition by Fortunato Galli, reflects the realism and intricacy that defined Italian sculpture at the end of the 19th century. Magnificently carved, the monumental work captures a beautiful woman at a masquerade as she peels her mask from her face, revealing her secret identity. The virtuosity of the sculpture is breathtaking, from her delicate lace bodice to the hint of stockings that encase her shapely legs. Masterfully rendered, she represents the perfect marriage of classical beauty and a romantic sentiment that has come to define the work of this Italian master.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in Livorno on the west coast of Tuscany, Fortunato Galli spent most of his life in Florence, where he enjoyed a faithful following. The majority of his sculptures were religious subjects, which he crafted for the major Tuscan churches, including his principal work, his famed statue of Pope Gregory VII that resides in the Duomo in Florence. His decorative sculptures such as this were far more playful in style, capturing gypsies and beautiful women in charming narratives. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1883 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 18 1\/2\" wide x 20\" deep x 52 1\/2\" high","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41238362259591,"sku":"31-2390","price":98500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-2390_1_105d9000-d556-46ca-b081-90aead2fdd02.png?v=1717921786"},{"product_id":"the-buttonhole-by-charles-spencelayh","title":"The Buttonhole by Charles Spencelayh","description":"Charles Spencelayh\u003cbr\u003e 1865-1958 | British \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eThe Buttonhole\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “C.SPENCELAYH” (lower left) and inscribed “This Drawing was accepted into the Royal Academy but crowded out for want of space” (en verso)\u003cbr\u003e Watercolor and pencil with gum arabic on paper \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e One of the most important English genre painters in the Academic style, Charles Spencelayh's anecdotal scenes are among the best of his age. This work, entitled \u003cem\u003eThe Buttonhole\u003c\/em\u003e, captures the celebrated painter’s preferred subject–an elderly gentleman performing an ordinary task. Spencelayh’s talent for portraying the common man with an engaging sentimentality remains unsurpassed, and his everyday narratives imbue his work with an undeniable timelessness. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e He trained at the National Art Training School (later renamed the Royal College of Art), where he flourished in his figural drawings. Spencelayh continued his education in Paris, where he exhibited at the Salon with much success. His primary exhibition venue throughout his career was the Royal Academy, where he showcased 30 paintings from 1912 to 1958. His incredible canvases were hung in the leading art venues of the day and gained him membership into the most prestigious art societies. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e During his lifetime, Spencelayh was greatly admired by many influential collectors, including Queen Mary, who provided the artist and his family a residence in Manchester. Spencelayh painted a postage-size portrait of King George V for the Queen’s dollhouse that currently resides in Windsor Castle. Today, his work is highly sought after, though examples rarely become available on the market. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1940 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Paper: 15 1\/2\" high x 11 3\/4\"\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 26 1\/2\" high x 22 5\/8\" wide  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance: \u003cbr\u003e Charles Nicholls \u0026amp; Son, Manchester\u003cbr\u003e Sotheby’s, Chester, 27th April 1989\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, United Kingdom\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41239066378375,"sku":"29-4020","price":88500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/29-4020_1.png?v=1787937616"},{"product_id":"boarding-the-ship-for-new-york-by-auguste-loustaunau","title":"Boarding the Ship for New York by Auguste Loustaunau","description":"Louis Auguste Georges Loustaunau\u003cbr\u003e 1846-1898 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eBoarding the Ship for New York\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"ALoustaunau\" (lower right)\u003cbr\u003e Watercolor on paper \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This watercolor by the French artist Louis Auguste Georges Loustaunau offers a compelling glimpse into late 19th-century travel. Depicting a couple boarding a ship to New York City, the work brings to life the hustle and bustle of the shipyard while celebrating the majesty of the ocean liner. Loustaunau's skills as an observer are clearly on display, as he captures with a keen eye the movements of the ship's crew, as well as the details of the ship and luggage. In an era when global travel was just becoming accessible to the masses, such works would have resonated with a wide audience. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in 1846, Louis Auguste Georges Loustaunau studied at the École des Beaux-Arts under the tutelage of the greats Jean-Léon Gérôme and Eugène Barrias. He exhibited his first work at the Paris Salon in 1869; it was a landscape of Brittany that was typical of his output from that period. It wasn't until around 1875 when he abandoned landscapes and country scenes in favor of the genre subjects for which he would become best known. He joined the Société d'Aquarellistes Français in 1891; he died just a few short years later in Versailles in 1898.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Paper: 45\" high x 37\" wide\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 51 1\/2\" high x 54\" wide","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43672849055879,"sku":"31-1153","price":68500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-1153_1_2fd3ec66-e047-4f30-a259-c044767d7ad9.png?v=1766567054"},{"product_id":"temple-of-vespasian-and-titus-roman-micromosaic","title":"Temple of Vespasian and Titus Roman Micromosaic","description":"The ruins of the ancient Roman Temple of Vespasian and Titus are the subject of this Italian micromosaic. Crafted in intricate detail, the scene is composed of thousands of tiny glass tiles that have been painstakingly chosen and placed to create a painting-like effect. A bucolic landscape surrounds the ruins, lending a sense of romance to the scene that is further enhanced by the presence of a mother and child seated near the temple's columns. It is an extraordinary example of this ancient art form that experienced a surge in popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Vespasian was the Roman Emperor from 69 AD to 79 AD and the founder of the Flavian dynasty, which ruled the empire for 25 years. This temple was constructed to honor Vespasian and his older son and successor Titus (ruled 79-81 AD); it was completed by Titus’ brother, Domitian, around 87 AD. Titus and Vespasian were each deified through the ceremony of apotheosis. Thus, tradition dictated that they be honored by Roman citizens and subjects as Roman deities. This imperial worship was as much a sign of allegiance to the emperor of Rome as it was a formal religion. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The temple suffered significant damage during medieval times, particularly circa 1300 under Pope Boniface VIII and in Pope Nicholas V's remodeling of the Forum. All that survives today is the podium's core, parts of the inner chamber, and the three Corinthian columns depicted in this classic micromosaic. The architrave surmounting the capitals displays the last few letters of an inscription, [R]ESTITVER[UNT] (meaning \"they restored\"), commemorating the restoration of the temple by Septimius Severus and his son, Caracalla, around 200 AD.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Late 19th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Micromosaic: 10 1\/2\" high x 12 5\/8\" wide\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 12 1\/2\" high x 14 3\/4\" wide","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43873807597703,"sku":"31-3659","price":68500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-3659_1.png?v=1770672650"},{"product_id":"santa-by-leslie-thrasher","title":"Santa by Leslie Thrasher","description":"Leslie Thrasher\u003cbr\u003e 1889-1936 | American \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eSanta\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eLiberty Magazine\u003c\/em\u003e cover, December 20, 1930 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “Leslie Thrasher” (lower left)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A Salvation Army Santa looks on with a mixture of fatigue and disinterest as a group of children tell him their Christmas gift wish lists in this lighthearted composition by leading American illustrator Leslie Thrasher. This painting was created for the December 20, 1930 issue of \u003cem\u003eLiberty Magazine\u003c\/em\u003e, for which the artist illustrated covers on a weekly basis for six consecutive years. Thrasher is known for his scenes of everyday American life imbued with a sense of humor, qualities represented to great effect in this charming painting. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in 1889 in Piedmont, West Virginia, Thrasher studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts as a teenager and received a scholarship to study art abroad in Paris. Upon his return, he began studying under Howard Pyle, known as the “father of American illustration.” Thrasher sold his first cover illustration to the \u003cem\u003eSaturday Evening Post\u003c\/em\u003e in 1912, four years before Norman Rockwell’s first \u003cem\u003ePost\u003c\/em\u003e cover, and he would go on to produce over 360 magazine covers throughout his career. He painted humorous, relatable scenes of everyday life in America with colorful characters set against white backgrounds. He was also a successful commercial artist, painting advertisements for Cream of Wheat, Chesterfield Cigarettes and Fisk Tire. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1930 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 20 1\/8\" high x 17\" wide\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 24 1\/2\" high x 21 3\/8\" wide","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41913598640263,"sku":"31-4493","price":54500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-4493_1.png?v=1726240625"},{"product_id":"a-study-of-two-models-by-sir-william-russell-flint","title":"A Study of Two Models by Sir William Russell Flint","description":"Sir William Russell Flint, R.A., P.R.W.S. 1880-1969 | Scottish \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eA Study of Two Models\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"WRussell Flint\" (bottom right)\u003cbr colored chalks on buff paper\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Ethereal and sensual, Sir William Russell Flint's \u003cem\u003eStudy of Two Models\u003c\/em\u003e highlights the artist's skillful mastery in capturing the female form. One of the most celebrated watercolorists of the 20th century, Flint enjoyed considerable success during his lifetime, and today his lasting reputation is tied to his remarkable talent for portraying women, like the two models featured here. This study gives an alluring view of the artist's process in rendering his famous nude watercolors. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Though six figures are visible in this study, Flint was working with only two models, each of which has been rendered in a different color: red or black chalk. The artist captured both women in a variety of poses and angles, paying meticulous attention to their facial expressions and the drapery of their clothing. A semi-nude woman lays across the foreground with her hair flowing above her head, and Flint has masterfully captured her wistful expression with a few deft strokes of chalk. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in Edinburgh, Flint began his artistic training at the age of 14 when he embarked upon a six-year apprenticeship as a lithographic draughtsman. In 1903 he joined The Illustrated London News, earning him a reputation as a gifted illustrator. After serving in World War I, Flint devoted his time to painting, and soon became an Associate Member of the Royal Academy in 1924. In a career spanning 70 years, it would be his treatment of the female figure that was considered most masterful. He was honored in 1962 by the Royal Academy with a retrospective exhibition of his works - the highest such recognition an artist can achieve during his lifetime. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 20th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Unframed: 17\" high x 34½\" wide Framed: 24\" high x 39¾\" wide \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e The Fine Art Society, London, by May 1958\u003cbr\u003e Sale: Sotheby's, London, 10 November 1981, lot 123\u003cbr\u003e Richard Green, London\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, Germany\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \n","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42215088750727,"sku":"31-5745","price":68500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-5745_1_ef82deb7-2181-48ce-b098-4821270705fe.png?v=1736115887"},{"product_id":"bronze-of-amphitrite-after-michel-anguier","title":"Bronze of Amphitrite after Michel Anguier","description":"After Michel Anguier \u003cbr\u003e French | 1612-1686 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eAmphitrite\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Bronze \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This remarkable bronze masterpiece was cast after a High Baroque masterwork by French sculptor Michel Anguier. After training under the famed masters Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Alessandro Algardi, Anguier developed a unique style that incorporated the theatricality of Bernini’s period-defining sculpture, balanced by Algardi’s somber realism. This bronze of Amphitrite, wife of Poseidon, comes from the sculptor's celebrated series depicting six gods and goddesses. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Anguier's sculptures brought heightened emotion to the legendary myths of ancient Greece. The sculptor imbued his representation of Amphitrite with tranquility — a perfect fit for the goddess of the sea. Her pose and delicately draped fabrics emphasize her feminine form. A lobster perches on her arm, and she is accompanied by a dolphin at her feet, Poseidon’s favored creature and an important figure in her myth. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The present work is cast in the same scale as the original mythological set conceived in 1652 by Anguier at a sizeable 26“ tall. The first recorded casting of this work is held in the Louvre in Paris, and a similar cast can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 17th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 26\" high by 7 1\/8\" wide by 7 1\/8\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41238992027783,"sku":"31-6065","price":78500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-6065_1.png?v=1712741663"},{"product_id":"concours-de-chiens-au-promenade-by-otto-eerelman","title":"Concours de Chiens au Promenade by Otto Eerelman","description":"Otto Eerelman\u003cbr\u003e 1839-1926 | Dutch \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eConcours de Chiens au Promenade\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Watercolor on paper\u003cbr\u003e Signed “O. Eerelman 1904” (lower left) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A tour de force watercolor by celebrated Dutch artist Otto Eerelman, one of 19th-century Europe's most popular and important animal portraitists, this charming composition captures a bustling cross-section of fashionable elites walking their equally fashionable canine companions. Eerleman takes care to render the detailed attire of his subjects, complete with plumed hats and layers of lace trim. The artist paints the plethora of pets in equally painstaking detail, capturing the nuances of each different breed represented. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Eerelman mastered the art of depicting not only the dogs’ physical characteristics but also their unique expressions and personalities. His wealthy clientele would bring their pets to his home in The Hague where they would live for a period of time while having their portraits done, allowing for a remarkably true-to-life portrayal. This energetic watercolor, with its profusion of color and texture, harnesses the affluence of its subjects and the leisurely whimsy of their luxurious lives. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Hailing from Groningen, Netherlands, Eerelman was dubbed the “Northern Rembrandt” during his lifetime. He received his artistic training at the Academy Minerva in Groningen, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp and then private lessons in the studio of the great Lawrence Alma Tadema. He successfully captured the attention of the Dutch court, particularly Princess Wilhelmina, with his meticulous approach to endearing subjects. His artistic contributions were so great and his work so valued in the Netherlands that he was knighted at the age of 80. Eerelman’s paintings have long been coveted on the market for their inherent charm. Other examples of his dog portraits can be found in the Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam), and in 2015, a major retrospective of his work was held at the Museum Nienoord in Leek, Netherlands.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Dated 1904 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 19 1\/2\" high x 26 1\/2\" wide\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 28 3\/4\" high x 35 3\/4\" wide \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Literature:\u003cbr\u003e Harry J. Kraaij, 'Otto Eerelman 1839-1926, Groninger kunstenaar', Schiedam 2012, ill. p. 107, no. 135.","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43371044864135,"sku":"31-6432","price":52500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-6432_1.png?v=1786123260"},{"product_id":"married-love-by-oscar-nemon","title":"Married Love by Oscar Nemon","description":"Oscar Nemon\u003cbr\u003e 1906 - 1985 | Croatian \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eMarried Love\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “Nemon” (on reverse)\u003cbr\u003e Bronze resin with green patina \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This rousing and sentimental sculpture, commissioned by Lady Churchill herself, was created by revered Croatian sculptor Oscar Nemon. It stands as a testament to the lasting love between the steadfast British leader, Sir Winston Churchill, and his wife, Lady Clementine Spencer Churchill. Lady Clementine sits smiling, legs crossed with her arms outstretched towards her husband. Sir Winston leans back in a casual, relaxed pose, with a serious yet calm expression. Entitled \u003cem\u003eMarried Love\u003c\/em\u003e, the bronze resin composition is a reflection of the humanity and devotion between two of Great Britain’s finest politicians. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Nemon first met the great Sir Winston Churchill in 1951 in Marrakech, Morocco, where the pair formed a friendship. The artist was already a great admirer of the statesman. As a Croatian before emigrating to Britain in 1938, Nemon lost the great majority of his family in the Holocaust, and Churchill's efforts to defeat the Nazis deeply resonated with Nemon. When he and the Prime Minister finally met, the artist sculpted Churchill in his hotel room at La Mamounia, aided by preliminary sketches that survive today. Perhaps moved by the occasion of sculpting one of his heroes, Nemon’s rendition exudes an intensity and lifelike dynamism that greatly impressed the Churchills. As a result of the artist's success in rendering the leader, he was selected by Queen Elizabeth II the following year to create another bust of Churchill for Windsor Castle. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Lady Churchill long admired Oscar Nemon’s 1951 bust of her husband, later saying of the sculpture: “That is how I see him and that is how I love him.” Over twenty years after their first meeting, following the statesman’s death, Lady Churchill requested that Nemon create a sculpture of the couple together. Nemon joined the widow at her home in Princes Gate, London, where she sat for her portrait. The artist then used his previous experience sculpting the Prime Minister to create \u003cem\u003eMarried Love\u003c\/em\u003e, masterfully capturing the love shared between the powerful duo.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Oscar Nemon was born to a close Jewish family in Osijek, a bustling city in eastern Croatia. Already a burgeoning artist by the time he arrived in Vienna in the mid-1920s, he met Sigmund Freud and made several sculptures of the psychologist and his dog, Topsy. Nemon enrolled at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels in 1925, where he won a gold medal for his sculpture. He remained in Brussels, sharing a home with René Magritte, until the outset of World War II in 1939 when he fled to England. His achievements in his first Churchill sculpture launched the artist to greater acclaim, and he would go on to make a number of busts of high-profile figures, including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Phillip, Harry S Truman, Margaret Thatcher and more. Many of his sculptures are recognizable for their use of bronze resin, often called \"cold cast bronze,\" which is created with a mixture of bronze powder and epoxy or other resin. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eMarried Love\u003c\/em\u003e is further distinguished by unbroken provenance, with its previous owners acquiring it directly from Nemon’s studio. The original large-scale bronze stands on the grounds of Chartwell, and another version of this sculpture resides in \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/msrauantiques2022.my.salesforce.com\/sfc\/p\/8c000000eEg1\/a\/Vb000000cOao\/CASGdIPcNcKWkfLmXQBf7TzlumVWw2U1V1aW4ymxgt0\"\u003eBlenheim Palace,\u003c\/a\u003e the birthplace of Winston Churchill and the only non-royal house in the United Kingdom to hold the title of “Palace.” \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Conceived circa 1978 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 19“ high x 29 5\/8” wide x 19“ deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Literature:\u003cbr\u003e The Sunday Telegraph, 12 March 1978 (ill.b\u0026amp;w) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e The Artist, from whom acquired directly by the family of the previous owner in 1978\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, Canada","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42603713691783,"sku":"31-6571","price":78500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-6571_1.png?v=1746450586"},{"product_id":"piccadilly-circus-by-fortunino-matania","title":"Piccadilly Circus by Fortunino Matania","description":"Fortunino Matania\u003cbr\u003e 1881-1963 | Italian \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003ePiccadilly Circus\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “Matania” (center, on bus)\u003cbr\u003e Watercolor and gouache on paper \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This exceptional watercolor and gouache composition by famed Italian artist Fortunino Matania exudes the energy and dynamism for which the artist is revered. Entitled \u003cem\u003ePiccadilly Circus\u003c\/em\u003e, Matania’s canvas captures the very essence of London in the early 20th century, when fashion, art and culture flourished with boundless energy. Matania depicts the historic thoroughfare in the evening, as vehicles and pedestrians alike traverse the square.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e With splashes of color and a keen eye for detail and fashion, Matania crafts a nostalgic narrative, documenting an evening in the busy Piccadilly Circus in downtown London. The streets are aglow with the golden light of lanterns and storefronts, contributing to the romance of the setting in the bustling city center. In a whimsical twist, the artist has rendered a number of iconic and important historical figures into the painting, including King George V, well-dressed and smoking a cigar near the center of the painting. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born to a family of painters in Naples in 1881, Fortunino Matania is renowned today as a colorist and illustrator that produced countless iconic Also known for his paintings of World War I and trench warfare, his luminous palette and creative range garnered the young artist. At the age of 20, he began working in Paris for \u003cem\u003eL’Illustration Française\u003c\/em\u003e, and beginning in 1908 he regularly exhibited at the Royal Academy. He was elected a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours in 1917, and his illustrations and paintings were published widely including \u003cem\u003eIllustrated London News, London Magazine, Nash’s, Printer’s Pie\u003c\/em\u003e among others. His works are recognized for their narrative depth and documentarian quality and remain widely prized by collectors today. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Early 20th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Paper: 13 3\/8\" high x 20 3\/4\" wide\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 22 3\/4\" high x 29 3\/4\" wide x 1 5\/8\" deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Literature:\u003cbr\u003e P. \u0026amp; V. Berko, \u003cem\u003e19th Century European Virtuoso Painters\u003c\/em\u003e, Knokke 2011, p. 509, illustration p. 228.","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41913601130631,"sku":"31-6871","price":68500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-6871_1_760b5219-53f5-485f-b7f6-882ccd019eb1.png?v=1726266495"},{"product_id":"across-the-river-by-sir-david-murray","title":"Across the River by Sir David Murray","description":"Sir David Murray, R.A., H.R.S.A., R.S.W., R.I. \u003cbr\u003e 1849-1933 • Scottish  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eAcross the River \u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed and dated D. Murray 1907 (lower left)\u003cbr\u003e Signed and inscribed “Across the River\/by David Murray ARA\/t Langham Chambers\/London” en verso\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Renowned Scottish painter Sir David Murray is recalled fondly for his talent as a keen landscapist, as illustrated in the current work entitled \u003cem\u003eAcross the River\u003c\/em\u003e. Whether rendering his Scottish homeland, or his other favorite locales of southern England and northern France, Murray's oeuvre showcases a bounty of artistic talent, distinguished by his remarkable palette and deep love of nature.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e In \u003cem\u003eAcross the River\u003c\/em\u003e, Murray captures a steep embankment overlooking a waterway. Diminutive horses and laborers dot the foreground, hauling logs and highlighting the interplay between man and nature. The earthy tones employed offer a quiet, contemplative quality to the composition, while the tree's fall leaves direct the eye up the cliff face. Murray's measured yet breathy brushstrokes imbue the image with a sense of animism, immersing the viewer in the tranquil landscape. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Sir David Murray began to study art at the Glasgow School of Art in the evenings while working days in the mercantile business. He gained the confidence to pursue art as a full-time career in 1875. Though he had not pursued painting professionally until his late 20s, Murray's risk paid off, and in 1881, he became an Associate of the Royal Scottish Academy. He quickly gained critical acclaim when he moved to London the following year, selling his works to important patrons including the famed Tate Gallery in 1884. Murray became a high-ranking member of both the British Royal Academy and the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Dated 1907 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 48 1\/4” high x 72” wide\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 63” high x 87” wide  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance: \u003cbr\u003e Sale, Christie's, Hopetoun, October 15, 1969, no. 149\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection\u003cbr\u003e Sale, Christie's, South Kensington, November 17, 2010, no. 15\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, Chicago\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Exhibited:\u003cbr\u003e London, Royal Academy, 1907. no. 89","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41239142891655,"sku":"31-7461","price":98500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-7461_1_f9d8e29e-244b-43a9-9a6c-27eabbabb634.png?v=1712737737"},{"product_id":"portrait-of-dr-frederick-a-cook-by-albert-operti-1","title":"Portrait of Dr. Frederick A. Cook by Albert Operti","description":"Albert Ludwig Operti\u003cbr\u003e 1852-1927 | Italian-American \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003ePortrait of Dr. Frederick Albert Cook\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This highly rare portrait of the important Polar explorer, Dr. Frederick Albert Cook, is the work of American artist Albert Ludwig Operti. Renowned in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for his paintings of exploration, namely Arctic scenes, Operti was the only artist to accompany Robert Peary on his historic 1896 expedition to the North Pole. His works seldom find their way out of private collections, the largest of which can be found at the Explorers Club in New York, which was founded by Cook. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e In this contemplative oil painting, Operti captures Dr. Frederick A. Cook studying and dissecting a native bird during Robert Peary’s famed 1891-92 expedition of the Arctic in search of the North Pole. Depicted here in a fur hat and coat to protect against the frigid polar air, Cook served as the surgeon on several of Peary’s explorations. He befriended famed explorer Roald Amundsen and was a seasoned explorer in his own right. Both Cook and Peary claimed to have reached the North Pole first, and the debate about their divergent claims is still waged today. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Albert Operti was born in Italy and educated in Britain. While part of Peary's expedition through Greenland in 1896, the artist executed hundreds of sketches and studies that would serve as the basis for many of his future works. He painted several special commissions for the New York Explorers Club, which was a primary patron of Operti until his death in 1927. Operti’s works are not often seen or exhibited, making this a rare opportunity to acquire both a stirring painting and an important piece of history. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The painting was featured on the cover and discussed in \u003cem\u003ePolar Priorities\u003c\/em\u003e, the annual journal of the Frederick A. Cook Society, in the December 2006 edition, Volume 26. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1900 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 43 1\/2” high x 34 1\/8” wide\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 51 1\/2” high x 42” wide ","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41913655558279,"sku":"31-7460","price":88500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-7460_1.png?v=1726259673"},{"product_id":"danseuse-by-pierre-carrier-belleuse","title":"Danseuse by Pierre Carrier-Belleuse","description":"Pierre Carrier-Belleuse\u003cbr\u003e 1851-1932 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eDanseuse\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “Pierre Carrier-Belleuse” (lower right)\u003cbr\u003e Pastel on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Strikingly elegant, this extraordinary pastel by French impressionist Pierre Carrier-Belleuse displays the artist’s mastery of his medium and his fascination with the intimate and graceful world of the modern ballerina. Carrier-Belleuse captures this classic beauty posed in the fourth position and the playful puff of her tutu shimmers with an incandescent glow filling the center of the composition. This dancer is simultaneously graceful and accessible, as her soft features and alluring eyes draw in the viewer. Much like the work of Degas, Carrier-Belleuse’s dancers are depicted with a common beauty that is at once poetic and attainable. A master of the art of pastel, his works are highly collectible as stunning examples of the art of impressionism. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in 1851, Carrier-Belleuse was the son of the celebrated sculptor Albert Carrier-Belleuse, from whom he learned his artistic trade at a young age. He also studied under Alexandre Cabanel and Galland at the École des Beaux-Arts, and became a regular exhibitor at the Paris Salon beginning in 1875. Successful during his lifetime, he received an honorable mention at the Salon in 1887 and earned a silver medal at the Exposition Universelle in 1889. He mastered the art of working with pastels and was best known for his scenes of ballet dancers, in addition to his popular landscapes, and historical and genre works. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1898 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 52” high x 26 1\/4” wide\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 45” high x 20” wide","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44436028457095,"sku":"31-8314","price":98500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-8314_1_75573afb-f185-4c59-81b2-c20eed3ea5cf.png?v=1775834533"},{"product_id":"les-falaises-by-willy-schlobach","title":"Les falaises by Willy Schlobach","description":"Willy Schlobach\u003cbr\u003e 1864-1951 | Belgian \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eLes falaises\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e (\u003cem\u003eThe Cliffs\u003c\/em\u003e) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas\u003cbr\u003e Signed with artist’s monogram “W.S.” (lower right) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This coastal landscape showcases the bold palette and distinctive technique of Belgian painter Willy Schlobach. The artist takes the viewer to the edge of a scenic cliff, the expansive vista vibrant beneath a clouded sky. Building a remarkable impasto with his neo-Impressionist technique, Schlobach weaves strokes of bold blues, violets, yellows and greens to create the crashing waves of the sea. His striking composition and frenetic brushstrokes recall a windswept day along the coast. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in Brussels, Willy Schlobach began his artistic studies at the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Brussels before later studies in Ghent, a trajectory that marked the onset of a remarkable career in Belgian painting. Remarkably precocious, Schlobach established himself at the age of 19 as a prominent figure among Belgian painters, forming close connections with luminaries such as Émile Verhaeren and Théo van Rysselberghe. The latter, a pivotal member of the avant-garde group Les XX, played a crucial role in shaping Schlobach's artistic sensibilities. Under the influential guidance of Van Rysselberghe, who had garnered insights from the Neo-Impressionist techniques of Seurat and Signac during his sojourn in Paris, Schlobach enthusiastically embraced these novel ideas. The 1880s saw the emergence of well-structured and meticulously organized pointillist works by Schlobach, who Seurat named the \"Belgian Divisionist,\" with coastal scenes serving as his favored subject matter. \u003cem\u003eLes falaises\u003c\/em\u003e stands as a shining example of his oeuvre, which today is housed in museum collections worldwide, including the Musée des Beaux Arts in Brussels, the Flemish Art Collection and the Indianapolis Museum of Art. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Dated 1907 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 29 1\/8“ high x 36 1\/4” wide\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 36“ high x 44 1\/8” wide x 3 1\/2“ deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, Switzerland\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, London\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41239262068871,"sku":"31-8364","price":98500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-8364_1.png?v=1712736964"},{"product_id":"the-tent-by-charles-walter-simpson","title":"The Tent by Charles Walter Simpson","description":"Charles Walter Simpson, RBA, RI, ROI\u003cbr\u003e 1885-1971 | British \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eThe Tent\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"Charles Simpson\" (lower right) Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The sunny warmth of a leisurely day on the beach radiates from this composition by acclaimed British genre painter, Charles Walter Simpson. \u003cem\u003eThe Tent\u003c\/em\u003e is an enchanting depiction of pastoral tranquility and youthful contemplation that epitomizes Simpson's mastery of idyllic British scenes. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Nestled beneath their billowing tent and stylish ribboned hats, the girls share a pensive moment of quiet while protecting their porcelain complexions from the harsh rays of the blaring sun. Simpson's sitters are the quintessence of early 20th-century young womanhood, with their fashionable dresses, coiffured ringlets and docile expressions that take in a day of beachside recreation. \u003cem\u003eThe Tent\u003c\/em\u003e comes to life with a luminous color palette and bold layers of impasto that are the hallmarks of Simpson's oeuvre. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The son of a major general, Charles Walter Simpson was born in Camberley, Surrey, into a family of esteemed art patrons who had supported important artists including Millais and Watts. Trained in both England and Paris, Simpson would go on to exhibit widely at prestigious venues such as the Royal Academy, the Paris Salon, and many others, even winning the silver medal at the Paris Salon of 1923. He was elected RI in 1914 and ROI in 1921, and Simpson's later years were spent in Cornwall where he and his wife established a painting school in St. Ives. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 20th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 20\" high x 24\" wide (50.80 x 60.96 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 27 1\/4\" high x 31\" wide x 2 3\/4\" deep (69.22 x 78.74 x 6.99 cm)","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42911941755015,"sku":"31-8315","price":74500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-8315_1.png?v=1752866691"},{"product_id":"pietre-dure-plaque-of-village-children","title":"Pietre Dure Plaque of Village Children","description":"Magnificent and colorful, this enchanting Florentine work of art is not a painting, but upon closer inspection is revealed to be a superb example of the intensive art of \u003cem\u003epietre dure\u003c\/em\u003e. Depicting a charming scene of a mother catching her children in the act of a mischievous prank. Rather than paint, this sumptuous piece uses hundreds of different kinds of polished marble and minerals to make this playful scene come to life. Each piece is carefully chosen for color and pattern, cut with the utmost precision and precisely inlaid onto a stone base, thereby creating an image of such beauty and skill as to have the perfect \u003cem\u003etrompe l'oeil\u003c\/em\u003e effect.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003ePietre dure\u003c\/em\u003e, also known as \u003cem\u003epietra dura\u003c\/em\u003e, first developed in antiquity, and originally consisted of shaping stones with small saws, wires and other metal instruments and adding them to decorative objects such as vases or small sculptures. The art was revived during the Renaissance by Italian craftsmen, and the first hard-stone workshop was established by the Medici family in Florence in 1588. The art was also practiced at the courts of Naples, Madrid, Prague, Paris and elsewhere. The Italians were particularly fond of \u003cem\u003epietre dure\u003c\/em\u003e and used the technique on everything from monumental cabinets to tiny boxes. From the late 16th century, the colorful stones were arranged on furniture as landscapes and flower scenes. These items were also popular with wealthy aristocrats making their Grand Tour through Italy in the 18th and 19th centuries, who bought them in droves and even sent larger pieces home. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The technique requires that fine marbles and stones be inlaid into a stone base. By using materials of varying colors, artisans were able to create patterns and pictures in much the same manner as a mosaic. The technique was expensive, requiring not only precious materials but also highly skilled craftsmen. As a result, many works were completed using imitation marble and are known as \u003cem\u003escagliola\u003c\/em\u003e. True marble and stone \u003cem\u003epietre dure\u003c\/em\u003e works such as this are very rare and highly collectible. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"M Zaccagnini\" (lower right) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1880 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Plaque: 17\" high x 22 1\/4\" wide (43.18 x 56.52 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 22\" high x 27 1\/8\" wide (55.88 x 68.9 cm)","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43874954543239,"sku":"31-8540","price":98500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-8540_1.png?v=1772357144"},{"product_id":"la-fete-foraine-de-nuit-a-batz-sur-mer-by-ferdinand-du-puigaudeau","title":"La fête foraine de nuit à Batz-sur-Mer by Ferdinand du Puigaudeau","description":"Ferdinand du Puigaudeau\u003cbr\u003e 1864-1930 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eLa fête foraine de nuit à Batz-sur-Mer\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e (\u003cem\u003eThe Nighttime Fair at Batz-sur-Mer\u003c\/em\u003e) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"F. du Puigaudeau\" (lower right)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Glowing with a festive air, this bustling carnival scene is a quintessential work by French artist Ferdinand du Puigaudeau. Beloved for his vibrant compositions of country life, fairs and fireworks, du Puigaudeau cultivated a unique artistic vision that masterfully synthesized elements of Impressionism, Symbolism and Neo-Impressionism. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The crowded night fair of \u003cem\u003eLa fête foraine de nuit à Batz-sur-Mer\u003c\/em\u003e comes to life under du Puigaudeau's energetic brushwork and vivid color palette. The composition displays a virtuosic luminosity, as a warm glow emanates from the carousel and du Puigaudeau's trademark fireworks light up the sky. The artist would have encountered this delightful scene while living on the Brittany coast after 1904, and he captured the distinct atmosphere and visual character of this region—like the medieval architecture and the white bonnets of the Breton women—with alluring accuracy. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Du Puigaudeau was born in Nantes, France in 1864, and he was large ely a self-taught artist at the beginning of his career, teaching himself to paint on trips to Italy and Tunisia. In 1886, he arrived at the famous artist colony of Pont-Aven, where he met and was greatly influenced by Paul Gauguin. By 1890, du Puigaudeau was exhibiting works at the Salon of the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts and with the famed gallerist Paul Durand-Ruel. In 1897, the famed Edgar Degas bought one of his \u003cem\u003eFireworks\u003c\/em\u003e through Durand-Ruel, and the two artists became fast friends. Today his works are held in major collections including the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid and the Indianapolis Museum of Art, among others. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1905 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 23\" high x 31 1\/8\" wide (58.42 x 79.06 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 33\" high x 41 1\/4\" wide x 4 3\/8\" deep (83.82 x 104.78 x 11.11 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, France\u003cbr\u003e Sale, Christie's Paris, 20 June 2018, Lot 115\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, acquired from above\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43999230197895,"sku":"31-8823","price":88500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-8823_1_b47276c9-cda5-465e-b396-e00adda71937.png?v=1774942402"},{"product_id":"place-de-la-bastille-by-edouard-leon-cortes-3","title":"Place de la Bastille by Edouard Léon Cortès","description":"Edouard Léon Cortès\u003cbr\u003e 1882-1969 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003ePlace de la Bastille\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “Edouard Cortès” (lower left)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A glowing warmth radiates from this bustling street scene by the renowned \"Parisian Poet of Painting,\" Edouard Léon Cortès. With a virtuosic talent for capturing the vibrant energy of the City of Lights in the 20th century, Cortès imbues his canvases with luminosity and romantic beauty. This composition depicts the iconic Place de la Bastille on an overcast autumn evening, as the blazing lights, orange haze of the sky and damp streets create an alluring atmospheric effect. Alive with Cortès's masterfully gestural brushwork, the busy pedestrians and vehicles hum with the energy of this metropolis. Through his unique ability to portray the very essence of his city, Cortès crafts an enduring epic poem to his love, Paris. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born just outside of Paris, Cortès enjoyed a rich artistic heritage. His father, Antonio Cortès, was an artist in the circle of the Barbizon school, having moved to France after serving as a painter at the Spanish Royal Court. Cortès' elder brother and sister were also artists and followed the \u003cem\u003eplein air\u003c\/em\u003e tenets of the Barbizon style alongside their father. Other famed artists flocked to the picturesque town of Langly where Cortès was born, including Maximilian Luce, Camille Pissaro and Lucien Pissarro, among other celebrities of the Impressionist period. Personal friends of the family, these painters would have a profound influence over the young Cortès, who flourished in this richly creative environment. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e He exhibited his first work in 1899 at the \u003cem\u003eSociété des Artistes Francaise \u003c\/em\u003ein Paris where he was met with excellent reviews. Capturing the magic of Paris during the Belle Époque, his canvases soon garnered worldwide attention, particularly in Canada and America. Though he painted the same streets time and time again, each work is unique in its narrative, perspective and atmosphere. Just as his Parisian scenes brought him success during his lifetime, they continue to captivate art lovers today. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 20th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 17\" high x 21\" wide (43.18 x 53.34 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 29\" high x 33\" wide x 4\" deep (73.66 x 83.82 x 10.16 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Kodner Gallery, St. Louis\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, St. Louis\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, Philadelphia\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43673051070599,"sku":"31-9437","price":98500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-9437_1.png?v=1767195660"},{"product_id":"the-musician-by-alfred-weber","title":"The Musician by Alfred Weber","description":"Alfred Weber\u003cbr\u003e 1859-1922 I Swiss  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eThe Musician\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “Alfred Weber” (lower left)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on panel \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This work by Swiss ecclesiastical genre painter Alfred Weber, best known for his humorous and meticulously detailed paintings, features a cardinal enjoying his leisure time. Weber's talent for rendering opulent interiors and his keen sense of comic narrative are evident in this painting. The cardinal, looking blissfully content, sits in his lavish living space playing the violin, accompanied by a flutist. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Alfred Charles Weber is one of the most esteemed French exponents of the Cardinal School of Painters. Educated to the highest standards of the Belle Époque period, Weber adhered to the figurative tradition. Like his contemporaries Brunery, Landini, Vibert and Marias-Milton, Weber gained recognition for his meticulously finished interiors, often portraying Catholic Church dignitaries in humorous activities. These works became highly fashionable among collectors, particularly in America, where many of his works found a home and remain highly sought after today. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Late 19th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 36” high x 31 1\/2” wide x 4“ deep (91.44 x 80.01 x 10.16 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 25 1\/4” high x 20 1\/2” wide (64.14 x 52.07 cm)","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41911955521671,"sku":"31-9166","price":68500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-9166_1.png?v=1726275250"},{"product_id":"ducklings-and-a-mother-hen-by-alexander-koester","title":"Ducklings and a Mother Hen by Alexander Koester","description":"Alexander Koester\u003cbr\u003e 1864-1932 | German \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eDucklings and a Mother Hen\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"A. Koester\" (lower left)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Esteemed German artist Alexander Koester was known for his charming paintings of animals, and this stunning oil exemplifies his extraordinary skill. Here, a delightful gathering of fresh ducklings surrounds a motherly hen in a hay-filled barn. Koester's brushstrokes perfectly capture the feathery birds and heaps of straw, creating a soft, inviting texture across the surface. The artist expertly imbues the animals with lively personalities and evokes a peaceful view of rural life in his native Germany. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in 1864, Koester first trained to become an apothecary rather than an artist, according to his parents' wishes. However, his passion for painting soon drove him away from the field, and he found a place studying under the genre painters Karl Hoff and Claus Meyer. During this period, he traveled extensively, making sketches that served as the basis for his genre paintings and composing portraits to earn his living. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A turning point in his career came in 1891 after his first visit to Klausen in Southern Tyrol. He would return to this picturesque town time and time again, eventually settling there from 1896 to 1915. Working directly from nature, he devoted his time to the subject for which he is best remembered today: the duck. Koester’s years in Klausen were undoubtedly the most creative of his career, and his scenic water landscapes earned him considerable recognition during his lifetime. He was awarded a gold medal at the World's Fair in St. Louis in 1904 and was later granted another gold medal by Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria. Today, he remains known as \u003cem\u003eEnten-Koester\u003c\/em\u003e for his beloved duck portraits, which are among the finest animal paintings of their period. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Early 20th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 20 1\/4\" high x 28 1\/4\" wide (51.44 x 71.76 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 27\" high x 35\" wide x 2\" deep (68.58 x 88.90 x 5.08 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, United States, after 1945\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, United States, by descent from above\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42380205097095,"sku":"31-9121","price":54500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-9121_1.png?v=1741269550"},{"product_id":"terracotta-statue-of-emperor-napoleon-at-st-helena","title":"Terracotta Statue of Emperor Napoleon at St. Helena","description":"Terracotta Statue of Emperor Napoleon at St. Helena\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1825-1840 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This exceptional terracotta statue of Napoleon Bonaparte on St. Helena stands as one of the earliest known depictions of the emperor in this iconic pose. Dating circa 1825–1840, the sculpture captures Napoleon in exile, reflecting on his empire’s legacy and the ambitions that reshaped Europe. With remarkable precision, the artist portrays the emperor seated on a klismos chair atop a stack of books—a nod to his intellectual depth and love of literature—his hand tucked into his waistcoat, a gesture that was rendered in many of his official portraits. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The statue’s black-painted terracotta surface and finely rendered details evoke both the grandeur and introspection of Napoleon’s life. Dressed in a frock coat and boots, he gazes to the side as if lost in thought or quiet conversation. The subtle balance of heroic presence and personal vulnerability sets this work apart, offering a rare perspective on the emperor's final years. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This one-of-a-kind work of art predates similar works by artists like Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, whose celebrated depictions now grace institutions such as the Musée d'Orsay and the Cleveland Museum of Art. This statue was also formerly part of the personal collection of François Hayem, the famed Parisian art dealer. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 26 3\/4\" high x 26 1\/2\" wide x 13 3\/4\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42633861890183,"sku":"32-0021","price":88500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-0021_1_0c2a4e35-d061-47f8-9542-51c502de52f6.png?v=1746746811"},{"product_id":"jan-cornelis-sylvius-preacher-by-rembrandt-van-rijn","title":"Jan Cornelis Sylvius, Preacher by Rembrandt Van Rijn","description":"Rembrandt van Rijn\u003cbr\u003e 1606–1669 | Dutch \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eJan Cornelis Sylvius, Preacher\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e New Hollstein Dutch and Flemish (Rembrandt) 235, state 2\/2\u003cbr\u003e Bartsch 280\u003cbr\u003e Printed by Rembrandt\u003cbr\u003e Signed and dated \"Rembrandt 1646\" (top center)\u003cbr\u003e Etching on paper \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Renowned among the Old Masters, the Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn is widely regarded as the greatest etcher in the history of art. As the foremost Dutch printmaker, his body of work includes nearly 300 authenticated prints, distinguished by groundbreaking techniques that redefined the medium. This remarkable 1646 etching was printed by Rembrandt himself and captures the esteemed Dutch minister Johannes Cornelis Sylvius seated at his desk, holding a closed book in one hand and gesturing thoughtfully with the other. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A luminous and lifelike portrayal, the oval-framed composition underscores Rembrandt’s mastery of etching, with his characteristic ability to bring a subject to life through dramatic contrasts and meticulous detail. The expert shadowing of Sylvius's extended right hand makes it appear to reach beyond the surface of the paper. The surrounding Latin inscriptions celebrate Sylvius’s eloquence, piety and steadfast dedication to his pastoral duties. The lengthy text below the image, composed by poets Caspar Barlaeus and Petrus Sylvius, extols his spiritual leadership, virtuous life and profound impact on the communities he served across Friesland and Amsterdam. See translations below. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The son of a miller, Rembrandt van Rijn is believed to have been born in Leiden on July 15, 1606. He studied first at the Latin School and then was enrolled at the University of Leiden at the age of 14. He soon left to study art—first with a local master, Jacob van Swanenburch, and then, in Amsterdam, with Pieter Lastman, known for his historical paintings. Rembrandt was an exceptionally gifted student and mastered his art in a mere six months. Now 22 years old, he returned to Leiden and was soon so highly regarded that he was able to take students of his own. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Now considered one of the greatest artists of all time, almost every major institution has examples of his etchings. Additional second-state etchings of this portrait reside in esteemed collections worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Galleries of Scotland, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago, among others. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Dated 1646 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Etching: 11\" high x 7 1\/2\" wide (27.94 x 19.05 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 19 1\/2\" high x 15 1\/2\" wide x 1 1\/8\" deep (49.53 x 39.37 x 2.86 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Inscription:\u003cbr\u003e Below the image, 16 lines of Latin text by Caspar Barlaeus and Petrus Sylvius:\u003cbr\u003e \"His eloquence taught adoration of Christ,\u003cbr\u003e And revealed to the people the true way to the heavens.\u003cbr\u003e Such was the face of Sylvius; we heard him\u003cbr\u003e Speak to these citizens of Amsterdam with his voice.\u003cbr\u003e He gave instruction to the Frisians: piety\u003cbr\u003e And religion long stood protected by his stern defense.\u003cbr\u003e His venerable age shone with its virtues,\u003cbr\u003e And weary old age rendered learned men.\u003cbr\u003e A lover of simplicity, he scorned the pretense of outward appearance,\u003cbr\u003e Nor did he wish to please good men merely with his looks.\u003cbr\u003e Thus he determined: Jesus is better taught by life,\u003cbr\u003e And the thunder of words is less effective.\u003cbr\u003e Amsterdam, remember him who has passed,\u003cbr\u003e Who shaped this city with his morals,\u003cbr\u003e He shone here by the very presence of God himself.“\u003cbr\u003e — C. Barlaeus \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"No longer do I extol his virtues,\u003cbr\u003e Which I admire and vainly pursue in verse.\"\u003cbr\u003e — P. S. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Around the oval:\u003cbr\u003e \"Christ is my hope. Johannes Cornelij Sylvius. From Amsterdam, having served as minister of the Word of God for 45 years and 6 months, in Friesland at Tyemarum and Phridgum for 4 years, at Balk and Harich for a single year, in Minnertsga for 4 years, at Slot for 6 years, and in Amsterdam for 28 years and 6 months, where he died in the year 1638, November 19th, aged 74 years.\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, United States\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, The Netherlands\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Literature:\u003cbr\u003e Bartsch, Catalogue Raisonné of the Works of the Principal Dutch and Flemish Painters, 280\u003cbr\u003e Erik Hinterding, Jacob Rutgers, and Ger Luijten, New Hollstein: Rembrandt, Vol. I, cat. no. 142","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43875575562375,"sku":"32-0479","price":78500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-0479_1.png?v=1772364844"},{"product_id":"leda-and-the-swan-by-ludovic-alleaume","title":"Leda and the Swan by Ludovic Alleaume","description":"Ludovic Alleaume\u003cbr\u003e 1859-1941 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eLeda and the Swan\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas\u003cbr\u003e Signed (lower left) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This spectacular circular composition by Ludovic Alleaume presents one of mythology's most enduring subjects with extraordinary technical mastery and artistic refinement. Exhibited at the prestigious Salon des Artistes Français in 1920, this Belle Époque masterpiece captures the mythological encounter between Zeus, transformed into a swan, and the mortal Leda with breathtaking beauty and classical sophistication. The work stands as a testament to Alleaume's position among France's most accomplished academic painters of the early 20th century. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Alleaume's interpretation of this classical subject demonstrates remarkable technical virtuosity in its rendering of both human form and natural detail. Leda's luminous skin glows with porcelain-like perfection, while the swan's pristine white feathers are depicted with meticulous attention to texture and form. The circular tondo format enhances the intimate nature of the mythological encounter, creating a sense of eternal movement within the composition. The classical gilded laurel leaf frame further emphasizes the work's connection to ancient tradition, while Alleaume's naturalistic approach bridges the gap between classical idealism and Belle Époque sensibility. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Ludovic Alleaume achieved considerable recognition during his lengthy career, exhibiting consistently at the Salon des Artistes Français for over five decades before earning exemption from the rigorous application process reserved for the most distinguished artists. His exceptional talent was formally recognized in 1927 when he received the Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur, France's highest order of merit. Beyond easel painting, Alleaume distinguished himself in decorative arts, creating notable public commissions including the Caisse d'Epargne ceiling and stained glass windows for Saint-Sulpice de Fougères church. His works are preserved in prestigious institutions including the Musée d'Art in Nantes and the Musée du Vieux-Château in Laval, where this very painting was exhibited in 2014 in the retrospective \u003cem\u003eLudovic Alleaume, painter and stained glass designer\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Painted circa 1920 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 42\" high x 41\" wide (106.68 x 104.14 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 54 1\/2\" high x 54 1\/2\" wide x 5\" deep (138.43 x 138.43 x 12.7 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Exhibited:\u003cbr\u003e Salon des Artistes Français, Grand Palais, Paris, 1920, no. 23, p. 2 (illustrated under the title \u003cem\u003eLéda\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003cbr\u003e Musée du Vieux-Château, Laval, \u003cem\u003eLudovic Alleaume, peintre et maître verrier\u003c\/em\u003e, October 18, 2014 – April 19, 2015, no. 12, p. 16 (illustrated under the title \u003cem\u003eLeda et le cygne\u003c\/em\u003e) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, France\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43812142284935,"sku":"32-0522","price":98500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-0522_1.png?v=1770406041"},{"product_id":"blue-abstract-by-frank-sinatra","title":"Blue Abstract by Frank Sinatra","description":"Frank Sinatra\u003cbr\u003e 1915-1998 | American \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eBlue Abstract\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"Sinatra 90\" (lower right)\u003cbr\u003e Acrylic on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Widely considered the greatest American pop singer of the 20th century, Frank Sinatra was not only an iconic entertainer but also an accomplished painter. An avid art lover throughout his life, Sinatra became a significant collector after his rise to fame, acquiring both modern and postmodern paintings from across the world. He also spent his free time creating dynamic compositions like this one, inspired by the bold aesthetics of the great abstractionists to inform his own unique vision. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This energetic composition, \u003cem\u003eBlue Abstract\u003c\/em\u003e, presents bold geometric forms and sharp lines in orange, red, yellow, blue, brown, green, black and white set against a vibrant blue background. The interplay of color and form creates a dynamic sense of space, movement and vitality, amplified by the work’s impressive scale. Evoking the colorful, minimalist geometry of masters like Piet Mondrian and Frank Stella, this striking canvas is a simple yet vibrant original from the famed singer. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e By the mid-1960s, Sinatra was an icon. He famously became the founding member of the \"Rat Pack,\" an informal group of Las Vegas entertainers that also included Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and others. Sinatra briefly retired from his long-standing gig at Caesars Palace in the early 1970s, and it was during this period away from the stage when he painted the present work. He eventually returned and would continue to perform until 1995, when he played his last show at the age of 79. He died just three years later of a heart attack at the age of 82. Today, Sinatra memorabilia, particularly such personal objects as his paintings, are highly prized by both lovers of his music and lovers of fine art. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Dated 1990 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 23 1\/8\" high x 46 7\/8\" wide (58.74 x 119.06 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 28 1\/8\" high x 51 7\/8\" wide x 7\/8\" deep (71.44 x 131.76 x 2.22 cm)","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43449098600583,"sku":"32-1161","price":98500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-1161_1.png?v=1764592893"},{"product_id":"ducks-in-a-pond-by-alexander-koester-1","title":"Ducks in a Pond by Alexander Koester","description":"Alexander Koester\u003cbr\u003e 1864-1932 | German \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eDucks in a Pond\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"A. Koester\" (lower right)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Alexander Koester is one of the great animal painters of art history, and this portrait of ten curious ducks in the water is exemplary of his specialization. The artist was a virtuoso at capturing not just the charming personalities of his avian subjects but also the overall atmosphere of their environment. \u003cem\u003eDucks in a Pond\u003c\/em\u003e displays his impressionistic handling of the brush as he deftly portrays the reflections of light on the surface of the water and the shimmering light and shadows on the ducks' feathers. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in Germany in 1864, Koester initially trained to become an apothecary, rather than an artist, as per his parents' wishes. However, his passion for painting soon drove him away from the field, and he found a place studying under the genre painters Karl Hoff and Claus Meyer. During this period, he traveled extensively, making sketches that served as the basis for his genre paintings and composing portraits to earn his living. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A turning point in his career came in 1891 after his first visit to Klausen in Southern Tyrol. He would return to this picturesque town time and time again, eventually settling there from 1896 to 1915. Working directly from nature, he developed the subject of painting for which he is best remembered today: the duck. Koester’s years in Klausen were undoubtedly the most creative of his career, and his scenic water landscapes earned him considerable recognition during his lifetime. He was awarded a gold medal at the World's Fair in St. Louis in 1904 and was later granted another gold medal by the Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria. Today, he remains known as \u003cem\u003eEnten-Koester\u003c\/em\u003e for his beloved duck portraits, which are among the finest animal paintings of their period. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1909–1913 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 20 3\/4\" high x 31 2\/4\" wide (52.71 x 80.65 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 28 1\/4\" high x 39 1\/2\" wide x 1 3\/4\" deep (71.76 x 100.33 x 4.45 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, Lower Saxony\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, Southern Germany\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, Southern Germany\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43897434407047,"sku":"32-1257","price":58500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-1257_1.png?v=1781278045"},{"product_id":"seven-of-pentacles-by-salvador-dali","title":"Seven of Pentacles by Salvador Dalí","description":"Salvador Dalí\u003cbr\u003e 1904-1989 | Spanish \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eSeven of Pentacles\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “Dalí” (lower center)\u003cbr\u003e Gouache on photographic background \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Representing a unique blend of spiritualism and Surrealism, this gouache hails from Salvador Dalí’s fascinating and highly inventive deck of custom-made tarot cards. The original commission for the design came from Albert Broccoli, the producer of the James Bond film \u003cem\u003eLive and Let Die\u003c\/em\u003e, who sought a tarot card deck to use in the film. Though the contractual deal eventually fell through, Dalí continued the project of his own accord, largely thanks to the inspiration of his wife Gala, who had an interest in mysticism.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The Surrealist maestro drew upon a number of influences to complete the deck, which comprised 78 cards in total—22 major arcana and 56 minor. His own self-portrait served as the Magician card, while his beloved wife Gala naturally posed for the Empress. Jan Gossaert’s 1516 Renaissance work \u003cem\u003eNeptune and Amphitrite\u003c\/em\u003e was the basis for the Lovers card, and the Queen of Cups card represents a fascinating marriage of Duchamp’s iconic Mona Lisa remix,\u003cem\u003e L.H.O.O.Q.\u003c\/em\u003e, with a portrait of Elizabeth of Austria. The iconography of the deck is as eclectic as one would expect from the Surrealist master; it is little wonder that it took him 10 years to complete the project. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This gouache is among the original 56 minor arcana cards, depicting the Seven of Pentacles. Traditionally, the card shows a man standing beside a growing vine dotted with seven pentacle-marked coins. The Seven of Pentacles signifies perseverance and progress. When upright, it shows commitment to work, life or dreams. Reversed, it can signal excess energy and personal resource strain, or the feeling of giving too much for too little reward. It advises reassessment of commitment levels, especially during a bad investment of time or money. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Dalí reimagines the traditional visual elements of this card, utilizing a photo of a woman seated with her face buried in her hands rather than the traditional upright man. Instead of growing with the vine, the seven coins fall from a bountiful cornucopia of fruit that recalls a Dutch still life painting.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e After Dalí completed his deck, the original cards were assembled and published in a limited art edition in 1984. While a number of editions have since been printed of the cards, this \u003cem\u003eSeven of Pentacles\u003c\/em\u003e is the artist’s original gouache creation. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in Catalonia in 1904, Dalí was formally educated in the fine arts in Madrid, particularly falling under the influence of the Impressionists and the Renaissance masters. At a young age, he became associated with the Madrid avant-garde group Ultra, though he eventually became more acquainted with other movements such as Cubism, Dada and Futurism. By the late 1920s, his mature Surrealist style had already begun to emerge, and in 1929 he officially burst onto the avant-garde art scene with his \u003cem\u003eUn Chien Andalou\u003c\/em\u003e, a short film he made with Spanish director Luis Buñuel. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Today, he is remembered as one of the most legendary and significant contributors to Surrealism. His \u003cem\u003ePersistence of Memory\u003c\/em\u003e, with its melting clocks, is arguably the most recognizable painting of the movement. Two museums—one in St. Petersburg, Florida and another in Catalonia—are entirely devoted to his oeuvre; other important works by the artist can be found in the Museum of Modern Art (New York), the Art Institute of Chicago, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.), among many others. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1973 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Paper: 12\" high x 9 1\/8\" wide (30.48 x 23.81 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 29 1\/4\" high x 25 3\/4\" wide x 1 1\/2\" deep (74.30 x 65.41 x 3.81 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, New York\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, United States\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43042325168263,"sku":"32-1420","price":98500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-1420_1.png?v=1755033900"},{"product_id":"nine-of-cups-by-salvador-dali","title":"Nine of Cups by Salvador Dalí","description":"Salvador Dalí\u003cbr\u003e 1904-1989 | Spanish \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eNine of Cups\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"Dalí’\" (top center)\u003cbr\u003e Gouache on photographic background \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This original gouache is a part of Salvador Dalí’s sought-after deck of custom-made tarot cards. The original commission for the design came from Albert Broccoli, the producer of the James Bond film \u003cem\u003eLive and Let Die\u003c\/em\u003e, who wanted an original tarot card deck to use in the film. Though the contractual agreement eventually fell through, Dalí continued the project of his own accord, largely thanks to the inspiration of his wife Gala, who had an interest in mysticism.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The Surrealist maestro drew upon a number of influences to complete the deck, which comprised 78 cards in total—22 major arcana and 56 minor. His own self-portrait served as the Magician card, while his beloved wife Gala naturally posed for the Empress. Jan Gossaert’s 1516 Renaissance work \u003cem\u003eNeptune and Amphitrite\u003c\/em\u003e was the basis for the Lovers card, and the Queen of Cups card represents a fascinating marriage of Duchamp’s iconic Mona Lisa remix,\u003cem\u003e L.H.O.O.Q.\u003c\/em\u003e, with a portrait of Elizabeth of Austria. The iconography of the deck is as eclectic as one would expect from the Surrealist master; it is little wonder that it took him 10 years to complete the project. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This gouache is among the original 56 minor arcana cards, depicting the Nine of Cups. In tarot tradition, the Nine of Cups is an invitation to indulge in life's pleasures, including good food and wine, the arts and carnal desires. The card usually features a seated man with his arms crossed, wearing a plumed red turban-like hat with nine cups appearing above him. In his interpretation of the card, Dalí utilizes a photographic print of a 17th- or 18th-century portrait of a seated courtly lady wearing a similar turban-like headdress. A silver chalice appears just above her, and Dalí painted nine yellow cups throughout the composition, giving the card its namesake and underscoring the bacchanalia and indulgence the card represents. Flanking the painting in gouache, a man and woman in profile both close their eyes sensuously, adding to the card’s emphasis on pleasure.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e After Dalí completed his deck, the original cards were assembled and published in a limited art edition in 1984. While a number of editions have since been printed of the cards, the present \u003cem\u003eNine of Cups\u003c\/em\u003e is the artist’s original gouache creation. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in Catalonia in 1904, Dalí was formally educated in the fine arts in Madrid, particularly falling under the influence of the Impressionists and the Renaissance masters. At a young age, he became associated with the Madrid avant-garde group Ultra, though he eventually became more acquainted with other movements such as Cubism, Dada and Futurism. By the late 1920s, his mature Surrealist style had already begun to emerge, and in 1929 he officially burst onto the avant-garde art scene with his \u003cem\u003eUn Chien Andalou\u003c\/em\u003e, a short film he made with Spanish director Luis Buñuel. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Today, he is remembered as one of the most legendary and significant contributors to Surrealism. His \u003cem\u003ePersistence of Memory\u003c\/em\u003e, with its melting clocks, is arguably the most recognizable painting of the movement. Two museums—one in St. Petersburg, Florida and another in Catalonia—are entirely devoted to his oeuvre; other important works by the artist can be found in the Museum of Modern Art (New York), the Art Institute of Chicago, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.), among many others. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1971 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, New York\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, London, acquired from the above in 2009\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, Paris\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, United States\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43057690607751,"sku":"32-1426","price":98500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-1426_1_7b32105a-648f-4915-afec-a1543c493a85.png?v=1755559610"},{"product_id":"four-of-wands-by-salvador-dali","title":"Four of Wands by Salvador Dalí","description":"Salvador Dalí\u003cbr\u003e 1904-1989 | Spanish \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eFour of Wands\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"Dalí\" (lower center)\u003cbr\u003e Gouache on photographic background \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e From Salvador Dalí's celebrated tarot series, \u003cem\u003eFour of Wands\u003c\/em\u003e represents a masterful fusion of the artist's surrealist vision with centuries-old symbolic tradition. This extraordinary gouache on photographic paper exemplifies Dalí's ability to transform mystical iconography through his distinctive visual language. The original commission for the design came from Albert Broccoli, the producer of the James Bond film \u003cem\u003eLive and Let Die,\u003c\/em\u003e who sought a tarot card deck to use in the film. Though the contractual deal eventually fell through, Dalí continued the project of his own accord, largely thanks to the inspiration of his wife Gala, who had an interest in mysticism \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Dalí's interpretation of the Four of Wands card showcases his virtuosic command of artistic technique, with applied gouache creating an otherworldly atmosphere. The central theatrical scene depicts elegantly dressed figures in period dress that evoke both celebration and mystery. Four vibrant green wands frame the composition, adorned with flowing banners and foliage. Above, a decorative cartouche bears symbolic text, while the base features an ornate table with delicate floral motifs.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in Catalonia in 1904, Dalí was formally educated in the fine arts in Madrid, particularly falling under the influence of the Impressionists and the Renaissance masters. At a young age, he became associated with the Madrid avant-garde group Ultra, though he eventually became more acquainted with other movements such as Cubism, Dada and Futurism. By the late 1920s, his mature Surrealist style had already begun to emerge, and in 1929, he officially burst onto the avant-garde art scene with his \u003cem\u003eUn Chien Andalou\u003c\/em\u003e, a short film he made with Spanish director Luis Buñuel. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Today, he is remembered as one of the most legendary and significant contributors to Surrealism. His \u003cem\u003ePersistence of Memory\u003c\/em\u003e, with its melting clocks, is arguably the most recognizable painting of the movement. Two museums—one in St. Petersburg, Florida and another in Catalonia—are entirely devoted to his oeuvre; other important works by the artist can be found in the Museum of Modern Art (New York), the Art Institute of Chicago, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.), among many others. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1970s \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Paper: 12\" high x 9 1\/8\" wide (30.48 x 23.18 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 29 1\/4\" high x 25 3\/4\" wide x 1 1\/2\" deep (74.30 x 65.41 x 3.81 cm)","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43876165714055,"sku":"32-1419","price":78500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-1419_1_03094685-3afe-4b4d-990e-6c52acebd43f.png?v=1772374973"},{"product_id":"king-of-swords-by-salvador-dali","title":"King of Swords by Salvador Dalí","description":"Salvador Dalí\u003cbr\u003e 1904-1989 | Spanish \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eKing of Swords\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “Dalí” (lower center)\u003cbr\u003e Gouache on photographic background \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This unique gouache by Surrealist master Salvador Dalí combines the artist’s celebrated and singular point of view with the spiritual world of tarot. Dalí began conceptualizing an original custom-made tarot deck when he was approached by Albert Broccoli, the producer of the James Bond film \u003cem\u003eLive and Let Die\u003c\/em\u003e, who sought a tarot card deck to use in the film. Though the contract eventually fell through, Dalí continued the project of his own accord, largely thanks to the inspiration of his wife Gala, who had an interest in mysticism.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The present gouache reimagines the traditional King of Swords card, which features a seated monarch on a throne. In \u003cem\u003eRider–Waite Tarot\u003c\/em\u003e, the king’s throne is decorated with butterflies, and in \u003cem\u003eVictorian Fairy Tarot\u003c\/em\u003e, the king has butterfly wings himself. The King of Swords symbolizes sound intellectual understanding and reasoning and heralds a strong will and decisiveness. In its reverse meaning, \u003cem\u003ethe King of Swords\u003c\/em\u003e can also symbolize being ruthless or excessively judgmental.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Here, Dalí reimagines the card with a photographic print of the 1592-95 painting \u003cem\u003eSaint Louis\u003c\/em\u003e by the master El Greco, a famous work on view at the Louvre in Paris. The painting depicts Louis IX of France wearing 16th-century armor and a crown, holding the fleur-de-lys and the traditional scepter of the kings of France. Dalí surrounds the king with suffusive green gouache paint, adding a saintly soft focus glow to the figure. In reference to the traditional composition of the card, Dalí adds a beautiful, colorful butterfly just above the monarch’s crown. In his own unique touch, Dalí includes a small fish at the base of the king’s throne. This card showcases the myriad of iconographies Dalí engaged with when envisioning his original deck. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The Surrealist maestro drew upon a number of influences to complete the deck, which comprised 78 cards in total—22 major arcana and 56 minor. His own self-portrait served as the Magician card, while his beloved wife Gala naturally posed for the Empress. Jan Gossaert’s 1516 Renaissance work \u003cem\u003eNeptune and Amphitrite\u003c\/em\u003e was the basis for the Lovers card, while the Queen of Cups card represents a fascinating marriage of Duchamp’s iconic Mona Lisa remix, \u003cem\u003e L.H.O.O.Q.\u003c\/em\u003e, with a portrait of Elizabeth of Austria. The iconography of the deck is as eclectic as one would expect from the Surrealist master; it is little wonder that it took him 10 years to complete the project. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e After Dalí completed his deck, the original cards were assembled and published in a limited art edition in 1984. While a number of editions have since been printed of the cards, the present King of Swords is the artist’s original gouache creation. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in Catalonia in 1904, Dalí was formally educated in the fine arts in Madrid, particularly falling under the influence of the Impressionists and the Renaissance masters. He eventually grew more acquainted with avant-garde movements such as Cubism, Dada and Futurism. By the late 1920s, his mature Surrealist style had already begun to emerge, and in 1929, he officially burst onto the avant-garde art scene with his \u003cem\u003eUn Chien Andalou\u003c\/em\u003e, a short film he made with Spanish director Luis Buñuel. Today, he is remembered as one of the most legendary and significant contributors to Surrealism. His \u003cem\u003ePersistence of Memory\u003c\/em\u003e, with its melting clocks, is arguably the most recognizable painting of the movement. Two museums—one in St. Petersburg, Florida and another in Catalonia—are entirely devoted to his oeuvre; other important works by the artist can be found in the Museum of Modern Art (New York), the Art Institute of Chicago, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.), among many others. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1971 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, New York\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, London, acquired from the above in 2009\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, Paris\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44548549542023,"sku":"32-1421","price":78500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-1421_1.png?v=1777554722"},{"product_id":"portrait-of-pierre-renoir-by-louis-valtat","title":"Portrait of Pierre Renoir by Louis Valtat","description":"Louis Valtat\u003cbr\u003e 1869-1952 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003ePortrait of Pierre Renoir\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"L. Valtat\" (lower right)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This vibrant painting by Louis Valtat depicts the famed Renoir's eldest son, Pierre Renoir, who would have been 18 years old when he sat for this striking portrait. Known for his bold use of color and energetic brushwork, Valtat captures the youthful vigor and elegant presence of Renoir at a grand scale and with remarkable immediacy. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Louis Valtat and Pierre-Auguste Renoir shared a close friendship beginning in 1897, and the younger Renoir sons were frequent subjects for both artists. This portrait not only demonstrates Valtat's painterly virtuosity but also offers an intimate glimpse into the world of his esteemed colleague and lifelong friend. The relationship between these two great artists was both personal and professional, and it was Renoir who introduced Valtat to the influential dealer Ambroise Vollard, securing his place among the most important artists in Paris at the turn of the 20th century. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in Normandy in 1869, Louis Valtat enrolled at the École des Beaux-Arts at the age of 17, where he studied under the great French figure painters Gustave Boulanger and Jules Lefebvre. There, he began his association with several artists who would influence the trajectory of his career, including Henri Matisse, Édouard Vuillard, Pierre Bonnard and Paul Signac, with whom he remained lifelong friends. He was awarded the Jauvin d’Attainville prize in 1890 and exhibited for the first time at the Salon des Artistes Indépendants in 1893. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e With Vollard as his dealer and agent, Valtat became a widely exhibited and successful artist during his lifetime. Throughout his career, the artist remained true to his unique style. He was never completely associated with a particular art movement, but is remembered for his crucial influence on early Fauvism. Today, Valtat's works are found in important collections around the globe, including the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid, and many others. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Painted 1903 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 39\" high x 31 3\/8\" wide (99.06 x 79.57 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 52\" high x 44 1\/2\" wide x 2 1\/2\" deep (132.08 x 113.03 x 6.35 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Michelman Fine Art, New York\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, acquired from the above c. 1990\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Literature:\u003cbr\u003e J. Valtat, \u003cem\u003eLouis Valtat, Catalogue de l'oeuvre peint\u003c\/em\u003e, vol. I, 1869-1952, Neuchâtel, 1977, no. 422 (illustrated p. 47)","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43432109473927,"sku":"32-1119","price":88500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-1119_1_01be3e25-4585-4408-8dfd-377801ba83f8.png?v=1764592547"},{"product_id":"warholed-by-patrick-hughes","title":"Warholed by Patrick Hughes","description":"Patrick Hughes\u003cbr\u003e b. 1939 | British \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eWarholed\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “Warholed \/ Patrick Hughes” (en verso)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on panel \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Almost defying definition and description, the artwork of London artist Patrick Hughes renders the world in the most fascinating and puzzling way. His signature three-dimensional constructions, dubbed \u003cem\u003ereverspectives\u003c\/em\u003e, challenge the idea of traditional perspective, instead creating a completely unique visual experience. These works appear to move in conjunction with the viewer’s movements, inviting participation and sparking curiosity. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Hughes has long been intrigued by ideas of illusion, visual irony and how one can be misled by the familiar. This work, entitled \u003cem\u003eWarholed,\u003c\/em\u003e employs Andy Warhol's iconic visual language through a three-dimensional assemblage of Brillo soap pad boxes—the very consumer product Warhol transformed into high art in 1964. The installation features portraits that echo Warhol's signature silkscreen aesthetic: Mao Zedong and Judy Garland, both subjects immortalized in Warhol's oeuvre. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Hughes coined the term \u003cem\u003ereverspective\u003c\/em\u003e for these types of constructions, which he describes as “perspective in reverse.” He utilizes the traditional idea of one-point perspective, in which an artist can create the illusion of receding space and dimensionality with converging lines upon a single vanishing point on the horizon line. However, he reverses this concept by bringing these lines forward into space using three-dimensional planes, but still abides by a strict vanishing point. Hughes says, “When the principles of perspective are reversed, the mind is deceived into believing that a static painting can move of its own accord.” \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The panel’s construction is a proprietary technique developed by the artist. Starting from large panels of wood, the artist forms trapezoids and triangles that are then glued together to form three-dimensional shapes that jut out from the flat plane of the wall. Then, two-dimensional images are manipulated in Photoshop and given the proper perspective for their placement within the composition. These images are translated precisely onto the panels in oil paint, creating the final illusion. Perfection of line, light and shadow is essential, and all told, a \u003cem\u003ereverspective\u003c\/em\u003e painting can take up to three months from start to finish. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Hughes created his first reverse perspective work in 1964 with a life-sized room for the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, entitled \u003cem\u003eSticking-Out Room\u003c\/em\u003e, thus beginning his long fascination with perspective illusions. He has since authored several books on themes related to his art, including visual paradoxes and oxymorons. He also holds a doctorate in science from King’s College in London for his work in the psychology of perception. Today, his work resides in important permanent collections, including the British Library and the British Academy in London. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Panel: 18 3\/4\" high x 24 1\/2\" wide (47.63 x 62.23 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 26\" high x 31 3\/4\" wide x 8\" deep (66.04 x 80.65 x 20.32 cm)","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43437622263943,"sku":"32-1518","price":74500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-1518_1_2cd022e2-ff85-42fe-b0fa-9304e930cd3c.png?v=1781630475"},{"product_id":"abstract-with-squares-by-frank-sinatra","title":"Abstract with Squares by Frank Sinatra","description":"Frank Sinatra\u003cbr\u003e 1915-1998 | American \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eAbstract with Squares\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"Sinatra 86\" (lower right)\u003cbr\u003e Acrylic on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Famed as one of the greatest American pop singers of the 20th century, Frank Sinatra was not only an iconic entertainer but also an accomplished painter. An avid art lover, Sinatra became a significant collector after his rise to fame, acquiring modern masterpieces from across the world. He also spent his free time creating dynamic compositions like this one, inspired by the bold aesthetics of the great abstractionists to inform his own unique vision. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This colorful composition, \u003cem\u003eAbstract with Squares\u003c\/em\u003e, showcases Sinatra's mastery of precision and color. The repeated shapes and colors create a dynamic sense of movement, amplified by the work's impressive scale. Evoking the bold, minimalist geometry of masters like Piet Mondrian and Frank Stella, this striking canvas is a simple yet vibrant original from the famed singer. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e By the mid-1960s, Sinatra was an icon. He famously became the founding member of the \"Rat Pack,\" an informal group of Las Vegas entertainers that also included Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and others. Sinatra briefly retired from his long-standing gig at Caesars Palace in the early 1970s, and it was during this period away from the stage when he painted the present work. He eventually returned and would continue to perform until 1995, when he played his last show at the age of 79. He died just three years later of a heart attack at the age of 82. Today, Sinatra memorabilia, particularly such personal objects as his paintings, are highly prized by both lovers of his music and lovers of fine art. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Dated 1986 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 28 7\/8\" high x 39\" wide (73.34 x 99.06 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 31 1\/2\" high x 41 5\/8\" wide x 2 3\/4\" deep (80.01 x 105.73 x 6.99 cm)","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43876414914695,"sku":"32-1731","price":98500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-1731_1.png?v=1772371289"},{"product_id":"grainstacks-in-the-plains-of-ajoux-giverny-by-theodore-earl-butler","title":"Grainstacks in the Plains of Ajoux, Giverny by Theodore Earl Butler","description":"Theodore Earl Butler\u003cbr\u003e 1861-1936 | American \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eGrainstacks in the Plains of Ajoux, Giverny\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Theodore Earl Butler was one of the leading American Impressionists, known for his vibrant landscapes that displayed his virtuosity with color, light and texture. This stunning canvas, entitled \u003cem\u003eGrainstacks in the Plains of Ajoux, Giverny\u003c\/em\u003e, is quintessential Butler, and it also pays homage to his most important mentor, Claude Monet. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Butler was one of the only Americans that Monet allowed into his inner circle in Giverny, and the two artists frequently painted alongside each other. This work embodies Butler's profound admiration for Monet, both in its extraordinary atmospheric effects and in its subject of the haystack—one of Monet's most iconic motifs. An explosion of electric color and light, the painting perfectly blends Butler's Impressionist roots with a brilliant palette that is distinctly his own. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1861, Butler moved to New York in 1882 to study at the Art Students League under several major American artists, including William Merritt Chase. Within three years, the young artist had moved to Paris, receiving an honorable mention at the Salon of 1888. This would prove to be a fateful year for Butler, when he also met and befriended Claude Monet and moved to Giverny to join the thriving artist community there. He eventually became Monet's son-in-law, marrying his stepdaughter, Suzanne Hoschedé in 1892. Butler would briefly return to the United States between 1913 and 1921, creating important murals and participating in major exhibitions such as the Armory Show, and then return to Giverny until his death in 1936. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This work will be included in Patrick Bertrand's forthcoming catalogue raisonné on the artist. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1897 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 20 5\/8\" high x 28 1\/8\" wide (52.39 x 71.44 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 29\" high x 36 1\/2\" wide x 2 3\/4\" deep (73.66 x 92.71 x 6.99 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e The artist\u003cbr\u003e Estate of the above\u003cbr\u003e By descent through the artist's family\u003cbr\u003e Patrick Bertrand, Oakland, California, acquired from the above, 1997\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, 1999\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44024810537095,"sku":"32-1959","price":78500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-1959_1_dc2d27f7-dc55-4040-a01d-6c8cb8819b89.png?v=1785432095"},{"product_id":"venetian-scene-by-martin-rico-y-ortega","title":"Venetian Scene by Martin Rico y Ortega","description":"Martin Rico y Ortega\u003cbr\u003e 1833-1908 | Spanish \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eVenetian Scene\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"Rico\" (lower left)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Spanish artist Martin Rico y Ortega captures a charming view of a canal in Venice in this luminous oil on canvas. The artist's portrayals of the legendary City of Water are celebrated for both their unique vantage points and vibrant color, two qualities that are fully realized in the present work. Not only is his intricate attention to detail on display in the reflections of the water and the architectural detail, but Rico y Ortega also reveals his remarkable skill at capturing the personality and atmosphere of this iconic city in the 19th century. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Rico y Ortega was born in El Escorial, Madrid, where he received his formal education at the San Fernando School. Soon after graduating, he began studying plein air composition, traveling throughout Spain for his artistic inspiration. His efforts paid off when he won a government-sponsored scholarship to study art in Paris, where he was influenced by the Barbizon School. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e He traveled to Italy in 1872, where he became fascinated by the splendor of Venice. From that moment on, he spent numerous summers living in Venice, sketching buildings and landscapes from a gondola. In 1878, he won the third-place medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle and was also made an officer of the French Legion of Honor. That same year, art critic Paul Lefort wrote of Rico y Ortega in \u003cem\u003eLa Gazette des Beaux-Arts\u003c\/em\u003e: “Although a fanatic when it comes to light, and an aficionado of rare and augmented color tonalities which, in his works, resemble precious stones, he refrains from overstepping the limits of human vision.” Similar Venetian scenes by Rico y Ortega reside in prestigious collections worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum and the New Orleans Museum of Art. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 19th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 16 1\/4” high x 21 1\/4” wide (41.28 x 53.98 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 29 1\/4” high x 34 3\/8” wide x 5 3\/4” deep (74.30 x 87.31 x 14.61 cm)","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43749912182919,"sku":"32-2162","price":74500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2162_1.png?v=1769777149"},{"product_id":"the-vendor-of-antiquities-by-ettore-forti","title":"The Vendor of Antiquities by Ettore Forti","description":"Ettore Forti\u003cbr\u003e c. 1850-1940 | Italian \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eThe Vendor of Antiquities\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"E. Forti Roma\" (lower right)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This captivating canvas by renowned Italian artist Ettore Forti is a sophisticated meditation on history and imagination, emblematic of the late 19th century’s fascination with the Classical past. Set within a richly appointed Roman interior that opens onto a sunlit street, the composition centers an exchange between a seller of antiquities and his well-dressed patrons. Forti brings the scene to life with theatrical precision, capturing every detail as well as the personalities of his sitters. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Forti was known for his rigorous study of ancient cultures, drawing his inspiration for his architecture, interior decor and sculptural objects from documented Roman wall paintings and public collections. From the intricate mosaic floor to the elegant klismos chair, these rich historical details lend this painting a sense of authenticity and allure, inviting the viewer into the warm atmosphere of this bygone era of antiquity. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The artist also displays his talent for capturing figures with delightful immediacy. The vendor’s animated gesture contrasts with the contemplative pose of the seated woman, whose languid elegance is framed by the austere figure in white standing next to her. By the late 19th century, intimate scenes of ancient Greece and Rome had become especially sought after, reflecting both advances in archaeology and a broader cultural desire to visualize daily life in classical civilizations. Artists like Forti embraced a mode of photographic realism, meticulously researched yet emotionally charged, to present antiquity as idealized and alluring. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Forti was a leading practitioner of classical genre painting who worked primarily in Rome. His works were widely exhibited and collected, appealing to an international audience. Today, his works belong to prestigious museum collections, including the J. Paul Getty Museum, and this particular work once belonged to the great Gianni Versace, who amassed an extraordinary collection of artwork over 20 years before his untimely death in 1997. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Late 19th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 20 1\/2\" high x 32 1\/2\" wide (52.1 x 82.6 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 29 1\/8\" high x 41\" wide x 2 1\/2\" deep (74 x 104.1 x 6.4 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Sale, Sotheby's London, June 14, 1995, lot 60\u003cbr\u003e Gianni Versace, acquired at the above sale\u003cbr\u003e Sale, Sotheby's New York, April 2005, lot 70\u003cbr\u003e Private collection\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44209687625863,"sku":"32-2124","price":88500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2124_1.png?v=1774962825"},{"product_id":"view-of-the-grand-canal-by-william-james-1","title":"View of the Grand Canal by William James","description":"William James\u003cbr\u003e Fl. 1754-1771 | British  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eView of the Grand Canal, Venice, with San Geremia and the Entrance to the Cannaregio\u003c\/em\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This luminous Venetian scene was painted by the celebrated 18th-century British artist William James. He was renowned for his highly detailed and brightly colored canvases that captured iconic views of the famed City of Water. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e In this work, James renders the Grand Canal and the entrance to the Cannaregio Canal, which was the principal route from central Venice to mainland Italy in the 18th century. The Ponte di Cannaregio spans the famous waterway, bustling with pedestrians and gondolas that flow beneath it. The church and campanile of San Geremia, the Palazzo Labia and the Palazzo Querini detti Papozze are all included, rendered with the thoroughness and precision for which James' best works are renowned. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Though he is known to have been active in London between 1754 and 1771, very little else is known about James’ personal life. What is known is that he never left England, relying on the images of other artists to create his own, unique interpretations. A student of the London artist Samuel Scott, he was also a pupil of the great Venetian painter Canaletto, who undoubtedly had a tremendous impact on James' output. The influence of Canaletto is particularly evident in this composition, which closely resembles a painting by Canaletto that is now found in the British Royal Collection. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Thanks to a British fervor for all things Italian in the 18th century, James' works gained him a great deal of attention, and he exhibited at the Society of Artists of Great Britain from 1761 to 1768 and at the Royal Academy from 1769 to 1771. He was invited to become a member of the Society of Artists in 1766. His works now belong to prestigious museums, including the Yale Center for British Art, the Royal Collection at Hampton Court and the Victoria \u0026amp; Albert Museum. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 18th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 14 1\/4” high x 24 3\/8” wide (36.2 x 61.8 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 22 1\/2” high x 32 1\/2” wide x 3 3\/8” deep (57.2 x 82.6 x 8.5 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, London\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, United States","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44057379668103,"sku":"32-2295","price":88500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2295_1_763c1db8-f8d4-4daf-89e2-01941ce2dff4.png?v=1784582460"},{"product_id":"evening-sun-by-ivan-fedorovich-choultse","title":"Evening Sun by Ivan Fedorovich Choultsé","description":"Ivan Fedorovich Choultsé\u003cbr\u003e Russian | 1874–1939 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eEvening Sun\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed and dated \"Iw. F. Choultsé 21\" (lower left)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas on wooden panel \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e In \u003cem\u003eEvening Sun\u003c\/em\u003e, Ivan Fedorovich Choultsé demonstrates the extraordinary command of light that made him one of the most admired landscape painters of his generation. A monumental sunlit rock face rises from still water, its pale surface ignited by the last rays of day. Twisted pines cling to the cliff above, their dark, wind-shaped forms silhouetted against a luminous blue sky. Through rich impasto and a highly refined sensitivity to atmosphere, Choultsé turns a rugged coastal view into an image of radiance and serenity, particularly through his treatment of the shimmering water below the cliffside. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in Saint Petersburg to a family of German origin, Choultsé received his earliest artistic training under Constantin Iacovlevich Krijitski, the distinguished painter associated with the court of Tsar Nicholas II. He quickly gained recognition, exhibiting widely in Russia and eventually serving as court painter to the imperial family. Extensive travels through Europe, Asia, North Africa and the Arctic deepened his fascination with landscape and the effects of light across varied terrains. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e After the Russian Revolution, Choultsé left his homeland and settled in Paris, where he adopted the French transliteration of his name. There he enjoyed renewed success, exhibiting at the Salon des Artistes Français and building an international reputation through exhibitions in Paris, London and New York. Today, his works are held in Russian museum collections, and examples also reside at Hillwood Estate, Museum \u0026amp; Gardens in Washington, D.C. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Dated 1921 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Panel: 12 5\/8” high x 9 13\/16” wide (32.07 x 24.96 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 20 1\/2” high x 17 5\/8” wide x 2 3\/4” deep (52.07 x 44.77 x 6.99 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Exhibited:\u003cbr\u003e Finch College Museum of Art, as \u003cem\u003eView of a River\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Henry P. Dumay, acquired directly from the artist, Arcachon-Gironde, France, summer 1929\u003cbr\u003e Later gifted to Irene and Victor, according to an inscription on the reverse\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, California\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44554951229575,"sku":"32-2321","price":54500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2321_1.png?v=1785964865"},{"product_id":"etude-pour-les-soeurs-dolly-by-andre-lhote","title":"Étude pour Les Sœurs Dolly by André Lhote","description":"André Lhote\u003cbr\u003e 1885-1962 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eÉtude pour Les Sœurs Dolly\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"A. Lhote\" (upper left) and stamped with the artist's label (en verso)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on board \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This dynamic painting by French artist André Lhote captures the spectacle of 1920s Parisian theater, merging his signature Cubist vision with the glamour of the Jazz Age. Lhote is celebrated for his important contributions to modern art, as he bridged the radical movements of Fauvism, Cubism and beyond. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Serving as the foundation for his renowned painting, \u003cem\u003eLes Sœurs Dolly\u003c\/em\u003e (1925), this work captures the Dolly Sisters—Jenny and Rosie Dolly—who were two of the most famous entertainers in the Western world during the first decades of the 20th century. Here, the iconic twins glide across the stage in their dazzling costumes, accompanied by an elaborate backdrop and orchestra musicians. Lhote's trademark geometric style and rich palette bring a mesmerizing energy to the scene that perfectly embodies the spirit of the era. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born Janka and Rózsika Deutsch in 1892, the Dolly Sisters immigrated to the United States as children, trained as dancers and rose to prominence through vaudeville and the Ziegfeld Follies. By 1922, they had relocated to Paris, where they headlined a series of spectacular revues at the city's most prestigious venues. In 1925, the year of this painting, the Dolly Sisters starred in \u003cem\u003eParis En Fleurs\u003c\/em\u003e at the Casino de Paris, a lavish production that cemented their status as icons of the Parisian stage. Courted by royalty, showered with jewels by wealthy admirers and celebrated for their synchronized choreography and flawless mirrored beauty, the twins embodied the extravagance and modernity of the era. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in 1885 in Bordeaux, Lhote began as a student of sculpture, painting only occasionally in his free time. When he established his own studio in 1905, however, the artist took inspiration from Gauguin and Cézanne and dedicated himself fully to painting. A founding member of the influential Section d'Or group, he exhibited widely throughout Europe and authored influential texts on composition and modern aesthetics. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e By the mid-1920s, Lhote was celebrated not only as a painter but as one of modernism's most influential theorists and teachers. In 1922, he founded his own school in Montparnasse, and his writings and lectures articulated a vision of modern art rooted in timeless principles of composition. His Paris courses attracted students from across Europe and the Americas, including Henri Cartier-Bresson and Tamara de Lempicka. His works are represented in major museum collections worldwide, including the Centre Pompidou, the Art Institute of Chicago and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The authenticity of this work has been confirmed by Dominique Bermann Martin, and it will be included in the forthcoming \u003cem\u003eCatalogue raisonne de l'oeuvre peint d'Andre Lhote\u003c\/em\u003e that is currently in preparation. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1925 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Board: 12 1\/2” high x 12 1\/8” wide (31.8 x 30.8 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 19 1\/2” high x 19 3\/8” wide x 1 3\/4” deep (49.5 x 49.1 x 4.5 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Acquired directly from the artist\u003cbr\u003e Thence by descent\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44418019590279,"sku":"32-2451","price":88500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2451_1_c3abd556-92f3-4e79-a990-4e487a9eb154.png?v=1775503410"},{"product_id":"purple-abstract-by-frank-sinatra","title":"Purple Abstract by Frank Sinatra","description":"Frank Sinatra\u003cbr\u003e 1915-1998 | American \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003ePurple Abstract\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"Sinatra 89\" (lower right)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Few artists so thoroughly impacted the American cultural landscape as Frank Sinatra. A lifelong art enthusiast, he developed a discerning eye as a collector following his rise to fame, acquiring notable modern and postmodern works from around the world. In his own practice, he explored bold, abstract compositions such as this, drawing inspiration from leading abstractionists while shaping a distinct and personal visual language. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This geometric abstract painting displays a vertical cascade of angular forms set against a soft lavender ground. Clean-edged rectangles in cream, ochre, deep purple and emerald anchor the composition, while a lively cluster of triangles in crimson, cobalt, yellow, black and pink energizes the center. Smaller fragments extend outward, lending a sense of movement and visual rhythm. The flat planes of color and crisp geometry reflect the legacy of mid-century abstraction, recalling artists such as Hans Hofmann, Henri Matisse, Piet Mondrian and Frank Stella. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e By the mid-1960s, Sinatra was an icon. He famously became the founding member of the \"Rat Pack,\" an informal group of Las Vegas entertainers that also included Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and others. Sinatra briefly retired from his long-standing gig at Caesars Palace in the early 1970s, and it was during this period away from the stage when he painted the present work. He eventually returned and would continue to perform until 1995, when he played his last show at the age of 79. He died just three years later of a heart attack at the age of 82. Today, Sinatra memorabilia, particularly such personal objects as his paintings, are highly prized by both lovers of his music and lovers of fine art. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Dated 1989 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 39 3\/4\" high x 29 1\/2\" wide (101 x 74.9 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 40 3\/4\" high x 30 1\/2\" wide x 2 1\/2\" deep(103.5 x 77.5 x 6.4 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, California\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans\u003cbr\u003e Private Collection, New York\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44563724206215,"sku":"32-2429","price":98500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2429_1.png?v=1777994618"},{"product_id":"winter-at-the-plaza-by-guy-wiggins","title":"Winter at the Plaza by Guy Wiggins","description":"Guy Carleton Wiggins\u003cbr\u003e 1883-1962 | American \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eWinter at the Plaza\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed \"Guy Wiggins N.A.\" (lower left) and entitled \"Winter at the Plaza\" (en verso)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The poetry of New York in winter found one of its greatest interpreters in Guy Wiggins, often regarded as the last great American Impressionist. With an intuitive command of light and color, he infused his canvases with a vivid sense of atmosphere and life. An elegant ode to the city’s wintry charm, \u003cem\u003eWinter at the Plaza\u003c\/em\u003e depicts a bustling Manhattan street softened by falling snow. Horse-drawn carriages with brightly colored wheels move through the slush-lined avenue as pedestrians with umbrellas navigate the scene beneath an overcast sky. An equestrian monument anchors the composition, framed by bare winter trees and familiar urban architecture, including a distinctive pink façade. Wiggins’s loose, textured brushwork captures the haze and movement of the snowfall, lending the scene both energy and understated elegance. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Born in New York in 1883, Wiggins was the son of noted Barbizon artist Carleton Wiggins. Under his father's tutelage, Wiggins began painting at an early age and was a frequent visitor to the Old Lyme Art Colony, the first artists' group in the nation to adopt Impressionism. It was there that he began to develop his own unique vision of this movement, earning critical acclaim early in his career. By the age of twenty, Wiggins was the youngest artist to have a work in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e He earned numerous awards, including membership in the National Academy of Design and the prestigious Norman Wait Harris Bronze Medal from the Art Institute of Chicago. He became best known for his iconic wintertime cityscapes, exhibiting a perceptive sensitivity to shifting environmental elements. Today, his works remain just as popular and are represented in important collections worldwide. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Early 20th century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 19 1\/4\" high x 29 1\/2\" wide (48.9 x 74.9 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 27 1\/2\" high x 37 1\/2\" wide x 2\" deep (69.9 x 95.3 x 5.1 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, New Orleans\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44580835033223,"sku":"32-2319","price":88500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2319_1.png?v=1778340153"},{"product_id":"summer-day-by-rudolf-riemerschmid","title":"Summer Day by Rudolf Riemerschmid","description":"Rudolf Riemerschmid\u003cbr\u003e 1873-1953 | German \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eSummer Day\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed with the artist's monogram \"RR\" (lower right)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A luminous summer afternoon dissolves into reflection in this evocative painting by Rudolf Riemerschmid, where figure and landscape merge in harmony. A female nude stands at the water’s edge, turned away from the viewer, her form evoking a sense of introspection. The composition is shaped by the ideals of Jugendstil—the German expression of Art Nouveau—and the Munich Secession. Balancing symbolism with an early modernist sensibility, it privileges mood and atmosphere over narrative, creating a contemplative vision of the natural world. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Muted tones of ochre, olive and deep forest green define the landscape, where dense trees encircle a calm body of water. The still surface acts as a mirror, doubling the composition and extending its depth through reflection. Organic rhythms guide the eye through the curving reeds, softly contoured earth and the gentle sweep of the figure’s body. Within this serenity, subtle shifts in movement animate the scene. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Educated at the Karlsruhe Academy under Friedrich Fehr, Riemerschmid went on to exhibit with the Munich Secession, aligning himself with progressive artists seeking alternatives to academic tradition. His work reflects the aesthetic clarity of German Jugendstil, where decorative line, natural form and symbolic undertones converge. Though his career was cut short by a war injury that impaired his vision, his early paintings remain significant for their synthesis of symbolism, modernist experimentation and lyrical naturalism at a pivotal moment in German art. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1907 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 28\" high x 38 1\/2\" wide (71.1 x 97.8 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 32 3\/4\" high x 43 1\/4\" wide x 1 3\/4\" deep (83.2 x 109.9 x 4.5 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, Southern Germany\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans Literature:\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eJugend\u003c\/em\u003e, no. 28., Munich, 1907, G. Hirth’s Verlag","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44710796329095,"sku":"32-2565","price":98500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2565_1_8a740c4b-a3f9-41e5-b179-b44077b5c2b5.png?v=1780145065"}],"url":"https:\/\/rauantiques.com\/collections\/fine-art-collection-50-000-99-999-copy.oembed?page=2","provider":"M.S. Rau","version":"1.0","type":"link"}