Etienne Prosper Berne-Bellecour (French, 1838-1910), "The French Ostler," oil on panel painting of an ostler (also known as "hostler," a groom employed to look after the horses of guests at an inn), wearing a white shirt and red trousers with black riding boots, working with a harness hanging from the wall of a stable. Signed lower left. Label from The Classic Fine Art Galleries en verso. Brass plaque on giltwood molded frame reads, "The French Ostler, E. Berne Bellecour." Sight 13" H x 8 3/8" W, framed: 19" H x 14" W. Biography: Etienne-Prosper Berne Bellecoeur was born in Boulogne-sur-Wed, France. He was a pupil of Picot and F. Barrias at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris and studied portraits and landscapes, genre and military subjects. He was Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur and exhibited at the Salon of French Artists in 1900, 1903, 1904 and 1905. CONDITION: Very good condition with light craquelure.