Lot 110: Edward Alfred Cucuel O/C Lady w/ a Parasol

Edward Alfred Cucuel (American, 1875-1954) oil on canvas impressionist style painting rendered in a thick impasto, depicting a well-dressed woman lounging in a folding chair in a garden setting on what appears to be a bright yet chilly day. She wears a feathered hat and fur stole and holds a parasol, and beside her sits a table spread with food. Signed lower right “E. Cucuel” with possible additional faint signature in script en verso. The  whitewashed parcel gilt Rococo style frame retains a Kunlthaus Buhler, Stuttgart, gallery label en verso, and has possible title “Cecelia” inscribed in chalk along with various numbers. Sight: 25 in H x 18 in W. Frame: 33 in H x 26 in W. Biography: California-born Edward Cucuel began his formal art training at the age of 14 at the School of Design in San Francisco and three years later undertook studies at the Academie Julian in Paris followed by training at L’Ecole des Beaux Arts under Jean Leon Gerome. In 1896 he returned to the U.S. and worked briefly as a newspaper illustrator before returning to Europe. By 1907 he had established a studio in Munich where he worked with Leo Putz and developed his own Impressionist style. Cucuel lived in Europe until 1939, when World War II forced him to move back permanently to California. He is best known for his Impressionist paintings of elegant women engaged in leisurely outdoor activities. 

PROVENANCE: The Entrekin Family Trust, estate of Ervin and Jane Entrekin, Nashville. Ex-Christie’s, Lot 173, Dec. 6, 1985.

CONDITION: 2-inch area of cleavage or delamination upper left background area with retouch. 3/4-inch flake and 1/8-inch puncture both located lower center in subject’s dress. Scattered areas of retouch to dress and small spot to subject’s cheek. Scattered cracking to areas with thick impasto paint. Light grime. Small possible nail holes in canvas visible along right side at frame edge. The frame has cracks and separations to some areas of molding and fillet.