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Lot Essay
Fabre, a native of Montpellier, was one of France's most distinguished Neo-Classical painters. After an initial period of training in Montpellier he entered the studio of Jacques-Louis David in 1783, where he excelled as a student, culminating in 1787 when he won the Prix de Rome for Nebuchadnezzar Ordering the Execution of Zedekiah's Children (now in the École National Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris). There followed a highly successful four year stay in Rome at the Académie de France, and further acclaim for his Death of Abel (Musée du Fabre, Montpellier), which was exhibited at the Salon in 1791.
After his time in Rome he remained in Italy, spending a year in Naples before settling in Florence in 1793. Throughout this time he continued to exhibit regularly in the Paris Salons. In addition to his fame as a history painter Fabre was also a renowned portraitist. The present work exhibits the artist's skill in both genres, in his depiction of a young man, in an academic pose, leaning on a ledge and staring intently at something outside the picture frame. He is dressed in classical costume, reminiscent of an arcadian shepherd. The picture probably dates from the early 1790s, and may have been executed while the artist was still in Rome.
After his time in Rome he remained in Italy, spending a year in Naples before settling in Florence in 1793. Throughout this time he continued to exhibit regularly in the Paris Salons. In addition to his fame as a history painter Fabre was also a renowned portraitist. The present work exhibits the artist's skill in both genres, in his depiction of a young man, in an academic pose, leaning on a ledge and staring intently at something outside the picture frame. He is dressed in classical costume, reminiscent of an arcadian shepherd. The picture probably dates from the early 1790s, and may have been executed while the artist was still in Rome.