Jean-Francois Raffaëlli (French, 1850-1924)
THE PROPERTY OF A BRITISH PRIVATE COLLECTOR
Jean-Francois Raffaëlli (French, 1850-1924)

Promenade

Details
Jean-Francois Raffaëlli (French, 1850-1924)
Promenade
signed 'J.F.RAFFAËLLI' (lower right)
oil on board
13¾ x 19½ in. (35 x 49.6 cm.)
Provenance
Anonymous sale; Christie's, London, 25 February 1951, lot 85.
Acquired at the above sale by Hazlitt.
Acquired from the above by the grandfather of the present owner, circa 1953.
Sale room notice
Please note that the provenance for this lot should read:
Anonymous sale; Christie's, London, 23 February 1951, lot 85.
Acquired at the above sale by Hazlitt.
Acquired from the above by the grandfather of the present owner in 1953.

Brought to you by

Miriam Winson-Alio
Miriam Winson-Alio

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Lot Essay

Jean-François Raffaelli's image of a formally dressed elderly couple walking slowly behind their dog through the streets of Paris is a powerful image, laden with pathos, but softened by a sense of tender and wry detachment, which avoids all sentimentality in favour of a strong sense of realism.

The austere and rather frieze-like composition emphasises the couples stooping pose and slow progress, almost as if they are struggling against a headwind. Their firm expressions of determination suggest they have weathered a long and difficult life together. But the presence of the dog and their interlinked arms also hint at domestic happiness.

The couple's formal dress suggest that they might be returning from a formal outing possibly a funeral or a visit to the mairie. This rather gritty narrative is underscored by a monochromatic palette, and a profoundly urban background, instantly recognizable as Paris. These various elements combine to produce a complex picture which reveals an artist with a profound understanding and love of the city and its inhabitants.

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