William Russell Flint

A Study of Two Models by Sir William Russell Flint

20th century

Jules-Émile Saintin 1829-1894 French L’Heure du goûter! (Snack Time!) Signed "Jules-Émile Saintin" (lower right) Charcoal and white chalk on paper A tender moment unfolds as a young girl leans over her bowl of soup, savoring her midday snack with focus and delight. Her spoon rests beside a slice of bread on the polished tabletop, while a cup, perhaps filled with tea or chocolate, and a second piece of bread complete the simple yet cozy scene. Nearby, her stuffed toy lies temporarily forgotten atop a shawl, hinting at the world of play just briefly paused. The setting is intricately detailed. The dining room showcases a marble fireplace adorned with a clock, fine porcelain and delicate cups. Saintin’s composition captures the quiet grace of the moment as well as the interplay of light and texture, skillfully rendered using only charcoal and white chalk. His ability to infuse luminosity into a monochrome drawing speaks to his refined technique and observational sensitivity. This work resonates with Saintin’s charming studies of children during his American period, such as A Little Girl Dozing Over Her Drawing (possibly a portrait of Jennie Walters), now in the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore. Born in 1829 in Lemé, Saintin began painting at age 11 and was admitted to the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris by 16. Trained under Martin Drölling and Édouard Picot, he became an accomplished portraitist and debuted at the Salon des Artistes Français in 1848, earning several medals. In 1853, he moved to New York to work in a photography studio, soon dedicating himself fully to painting. He exhibited regularly at the National Academy of Design—becoming a member in 1858—and gained a strong reputation for his portraits of American elites, as well as for his depictions of landscapes and Native American clothing...

Charles Spencelayh 1865-1958 British The Buttonhole Signed “C.SPENCELAYH” (lower left) and inscribed “This Drawing was accepted into the Royal Academy but crowded out for want of ...

Part of the ring-wall of the Taj Mahal, Agra, India, 1914 Signed with initials and dated bottom right Black chalk on paper, 45.5 x 53 cm Literature: Ernst Braches en J.F. Heijbro...

Provenance: Private Collection, USA. This drawing is by Ercole Procaccini the Younger, who represents the final generation of painters in the storied Procaccini family. The son of C...