Lot 137: A. Brunel De Neuville O/C, Kittens

Alfred Arthur Brunel de Neuville (French, 1852-1941) oil on canvas painting of two kittens who crouch on the floor and intently watch a winged insect stranded in a bowl of water. Signed "Neuville" lower right. Previous gallery label en verso. Stretcher: 12" W x 8" H. Frame: 17 1/2" W x 13 1/2" H. Biography: Alfred Arthur Brunel was known for his still lifes and sentimental paintings of domestic animals, usually kittens, done in the French "new academic realism" style. He exhibited at the Salon de Paris and at the Salon des Artistes Francais, which made him a member in 1907. He is listed in numerous reference books and single-subject books on the period including "The Benezit Dictionary of Painters, Sculptors, Draftsmen, and Engravers"; "French Flower: Painters of the Nineteenth Century: A Dictionary"; "The Artists Bluebook"; and "Painters of the Still-Life in France." His work is in a number of French museums.

PROVENANCE: Private Nashville collection.

CONDITION: Overall very good condition with light craquelure throughout. Some florescence under UV light to upper left quadrant suggesting a small amount of infill painting to background.