Albert Guillaume (French, 1873-1942)

Le Chef d'Oeuvre (The Masterpiece)

Details
Albert Guillaume (French, 1873-1942)
Le Chef d'Oeuvre (The Masterpiece)
signed 'A. Guillaume' lower right
oil on panel
32¼ x 25 5/8in. (82 x 65cm.)
Provenance
Anon.; sale, Hotel Drouot, Paris, May 24, 1944
Literature
G. Shurr, Les Petits Maîtres de la Peinture 1820-1920, 1976, III
E. Bénézit, Dictionnaire critique et documentaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs et Graveurs, Paris, 1976, V, p. 291
Exhibited
Paris, Société National des Beaux Arts, Salon of 1905, no. 613
Engraved
Braun & Cie, no. 8772 (reproduced by photograph)

Lot Essay

Albert Guillaume was the son of Edmond Guillaume who was a professor of architecture at the Ecole des Beaux Arts. Encouraged by his father to pursue his studies as a painter, Albert entered the studio of Gérôme. Th latter's studio was one of the most prestigious and competative, and his students followed a rigorous academic program which placed an emphasis on draftsmanship. The lessons learned from this master, are clearly evident in Le Chef d'oeuvre. Guillaume was praised for his amusing genre scenes and was a faithful contributor to the Société National des Beaux Arts.