Lot 171: Alfred Boisseau O/C Portrait of a Child

Alfred Boisseau (French/Canadian/American, 1823-1901) oil on canvas portrait of a child in a landscape setting. The child stands wearing a burgundy coat and white lace collar with one hand atop a wicker chair, the other clutching a bouquet of flowers, on a spot overlooking a lush green landscape with a home exhibiting elements of French-influenced architecture in the distance, possibly Louisiana. Signed "Boisseau" lower left. Inscribed "A. BOUSSEAU (sic) 1886" en verso of stretcher. Later giltwood molded frame. Sight: 35" H x 26" W. Frame: 40" H x 31 1/2" W. Artist Biography: "Alfred Boisseau moved from Paris to New Orleans around 1844. He sent three works painted during his stay there back to the Salons. One of these, 'Louisiana Indians Walking along a Bayou' (1847, New Orleans Museum of Art), is considered the most famous painting made in Louisiana before the American Civil War. Boisseau then exhibited in New York and advertised himself as a 'portrait and landscape painter, art instructor, and art dealer' in Cleveland, Ohio, where he opened his 'daguerrean gallery.' In 1861, he moved to Montreal, where he worked for more than twenty-five years as an 'artist-photographer,' according to the commercial directory." (Source: Montreal Museum of Fine Arts)

PROVENANCE: Private Southeastern Tennessee collection.

CONDITION: Canvas has been cleaned but not lined. There is a 2" repaired tear to the left center background where sky meets the hilltop, and a 1/2" spot of inpainting nearby in the sky area. A few small spots of inpainting in child's hair and an area of inpainting to upper right background. Light craquelure throughout.