Large Antique French Pastoral Oil Painting by Theodore Levigne, 1883

Measuring over 64 inches tall, this large oil on canvas painting by Adolphe Marais depicts a shepherd and his flock in a clearing of a French forest. A bright blue sky shines overhea...

A master-level painting surrounded by a thick and detailed gold leaf frame, this large oval oil on canvas has an impressive scale for a nature morte (still-life) painting. The painting, which dates to circa 1850, is by an unknown, yet extremely talented French artist. In stark contrast to the dark gray background, the subject of the painting is a brightly colored floral bouquet. The vibrant flowers (blue, red, yellow, pink, and white) reside in a brown woven basket that sits atop a stone baluster railing. A cluster of darkly colored grapes is strewn across the top of the railing, next to the basket, as two butterflies flutter above the bouquet. If you look closely, you will even see a third butterfly perched on one of the large green leaves that accompany the irises, carnations, and sunflowers. The equally impressive original frame is adorned with rings of beading, foliate rinceaux, and spiral fluting, with a deep convex molding carved with additional fluting. In 19th-century France, an entire school devoted to floral still-life paintings emerged, located in Lyon, which was the capital of floral design. Although originally still-life art was classified as unimportant, acceptance by art historians of the 20th century elevated the public opinion of nature mortes. A painting such as our large and striking oval floral...

During the late 19th century, the French system of government, known as the Third Republic, began to distance itself from the Latin church. As a result, artists at French academies of art began to produce works known as “cardinal paintings”, which were satirical renderings of church dignitaries dressed in vibrant red robes, enjoying their privileged lifestyles. This particular oil on board painting by Emile Meyer...

More information coming soon… This French oil on canvas painting from the 1800s depicts a landscape with seemingly out-of-place classical architecture at dusk. The artist did a won...