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Allegorical Scene of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–1806)
Attributed to Léon Cogniet (1794–1880)
This ambitious and romanticized composition captures a defining moment in American history: the Lewis and Clark Expedition, commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson to chart a route to the Pacific Ocean through the newly acquired western territories. The painting centers on meticulously rendered figures—Lewis, Clark, Seaman (?), Charbonneau, Sacajawea, and her brother—each embodying the mythos surrounding the legendary journey.
A student of Pierre-Narcisse Guérin, like Delacroix and Géricault, Léon Cogniet worked during a stylistic transition, moving away from strict Neoclassicism while still retaining elements of it. His early work, Briséis Weeping over Patroclus, though unsuccessful in securing the Prix de Rome in 1815, reveals his classical roots and emerging coloristic sensibility. During his stay in Rome (1817–1822), he painted Castor and Pollux Rescuing Helen, a competition piece with a somber, mannerist tone influenced by Guérin.
Upon returning to France, Cogniet gained recognition, particularly at the Salon of 1824 with Scene of the Massacre of the Innocents, which marked a departure from the idealized narratives of Neoclassicism. Though he received official commissions and honors such as the Légion d'Honneur, he remained a discreet contributor to major public projects like the Musée de Versailles.
Highly praised by Baudelaire in 1845, Cogniet's portraits were favored over his historical vignettes. His works are held in various collections, including the Musée des Beaux-Arts d’Orléans. He also created a number of inventive landscape studies, showcasing his versatility and imaginative approach.
Provenance:
Marc Arthur Kohn Auctions, Hôtel Le Bristol, Paris, July 2, 2013
Cornelius Engelen, Leuven, Belgium
Private Collection, Belgium
For more detailed information on the Lewis and Clark Expedition, see:
http://lewisandclarkyearofdiscovery.blogspot.com/2016/
