Lot Essay
Guirand de Scevola was very close to Sarah Bernhardt and spent much time at Belle-Ile-en-Mer, the actress's property in Brittany. Known as the Divine Sarah, Bernhardt was the most famous female acctress of her era. Her theatrical fame attraceted the most established artists in Europe to befriend her and paint her portrait. Jules Bastien-Lepage, Louise Abbema, and Guirand de Scevola are a few artists she is known to have sat for.