Louis Hector Leroux (France, 1829-1900) oil on board classical revival style portrait painting depicting a woman, possibly Cleopatra, seated on a marble throne adorned in a classical draped garment and jewelry, including a snake bracelet on her right arm, with an upswept hairstyle. She is seated next to a barrel of scrolls against a dark background with classical architectural details dimly illuminated by a lantern in the top left corner. Signed "Hector LeROUX" to footstool. Housed in a contemporary giltwood frame with a linen liner. Sight: 19 1/2" H x 12 1/4" W. Framed: 25 3/4" H x 18 3/4" W. Biography: Hector Leroux was born in Verdun, France in 1829. In 1857, he was awarded a second-place prize in Rome for his composition on the theme of the Resurrection of Lazarus. This success allowed him to be a resident at the Villa Medici in Rome. During his stay in Rome, he became a member of the Caldarrosti group (a group of French artists living in Rome). A painter with a passion for Antiquity, Leroux painted a work for the Salon de la Société des Artistes Français, Paris in 1881 entitled "Herculaneum, 23 August, year 79", which is on display today at the Musée d'Orsay.

PROVENANCE: The Estate of Edward Laudermilk, Nashville, Tennessee.

CONDITION: Overall very good condition with no visible retouching. Some light crackle; minute abrasion to paint layer measuring 1/8" to subjects forearm; and some light surface wear. Frame with slight gilt loss to corners.