Offered by Galerie de Frise
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Charles FRÉCHOU
(Paris 1820 - Paris 1900)
Portrait of a child with a cat
Oil on canvas
H. 41 cm ; L. 33 cm
Signed lower left and dated 1849
Apart from his participation in the Salon between 1841 and 1888, very few elements of his life have come down to us. The booklets of these same salons indicate that he was a student of the Adan family, Hippolyte the father and Louis-Emile the son. His achievements seem to be concentrated on the art of portraiture and some still lifes of which the art market has given a glimpse.
Our portrait, which he painted at the age of 29, is still in the full Louis-Philippe style from which France has just escaped. This little boy, around 5 years old, is wearing a tartan tunic, which could indicate a Scottish model? Simple supposition which does not bring us any identification. The almost languid posture and the cat on the child's lap are complemented by an unusual background. The bench and its cushions of beautiful green silk seem strongly disturbed, as if caught in a battle with the cat... Not very academic for a representation at this period!
