Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 18

Joseph Bail
‘Cats Playing around a Mirror’ by Joseph Bail (1862 – 1921), French Painter

Late 19th century

$13,976.30
£10,587.37
€12,000
CA$19,362.28
A$21,716.09
CHF 11,372.38
MX$263,871.65
NOK 144,410.16
SEK 136,911.01
DKK 91,365.20

About the Item

Joseph Bail Limonest 1862 – 1921 Paris French Painter ‘Cats Playing around a Mirror’ Signature: signed lower right ‘Bail Joseph’
 Medium: oil on canvas
 Dimensions: image size 45,5 x 37,5 cm, frame size 69 x 61 cm  Provenance: from a private Duch collection Notes: French naturalist painter known for his still lifes and depictions of kitchen scenes. Trained by his father and later under Jean-Léon Gérôme and Carolus-Duran, he gained recognition for works in 1887 and in 1894. He won the gold medal at the 1900 Universal Exposition. Influenced by Chardin and realists like Vollon, he focused on detail and color accuracy in his compositions until his death in 1921. Biography: Joseph Bail, the youngest scion of the esteemed painter Jean Antoine Bail, emerged from the cradle of artistic heritage into the vibrant world of Lyon, where Romanticism swirled in the air and Realism took root in the canvas. Born in 1862, he was nurtured amidst the masterpieces of his father, who not only imparted to him the skills of the craft but also instilled in him a profound appreciation for the art that transcended mere brushstrokes. Under the watchful guidance of his father and later in the academic embrace of luminaries like Jean Léon Gérôme and Charles-Emile Carolus-Duran, Joseph Bail's artistic journey began to unfold like an intricate tapestry, woven with threads of tradition and innovation. His debut at the Salon in 1878 heralded the advent of a talent poised to make a mark, although the details of this early exhibition remain shrouded in the mists of time. The 1880s witnessed Bail's artistic prowess blossoming into full bloom, as his canvases bore witness to a kaleidoscope of subjects - from poignant portraits capturing the essence of familial bonds to lively genre scenes depicting the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Inspired by the likes of Chardin and steeped in the Realist tradition, Bail's brush danced with a familiarity that belied his youth. It was his series of cooks, immortalized in various states of culinary labor and leisure, that would come to define Bail's oeuvre and draw parallels with the works of Théodule Ribot. Yet, beneath the surface of these seemingly mundane scenes lay a nuanced understanding of light and form, a testament to Bail's mastery of his craft. The accolades bestowed upon him by the discerning eyes of the Third Republic spoke volumes of his talent - from the honorable mention in 1885 to the gold medal in 1900, each award was a testament to Bail's unwavering dedication to his art. Yet, amidst the glimmering medals and accolades, Bail remained steadfast in his commitment to the Realist aesthetic, eschewing the allure of trends in favor of a timeless expression of truth. In 1902, the Salon bestowed upon him the rare honor of a medal of honor, a fitting tribute to a lifetime devoted to the pursuit of artistic excellence. Though the sands of time may have swept away the footprints of many artists, Joseph Bail's legacy endures as a beacon of inspiration, a testament to the enduring power of art to transcend the bounds of time and space.
  • Creator:
    Joseph Bail (1862 - 1921, French)
  • Creation Year:
    Late 19th century
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 27.17 in (69 cm)Width: 24.02 in (61 cm)Depth: 2.37 in (6 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    The artwork is elegantly presented within a magnificent golden (gold leaf) framing, specially created for the painting. This piece is showcased in a state suitable for immediate gallery hanging, impeccably preserved in its good condition.
  • Gallery Location:
    Knokke, BE
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2006214369132

More From This Seller

View All
“A Lady playing with a Cat” by Paul De Frick (1864 - Paris - 1935), dated 1896
By Paul de Frick
Located in Knokke, BE
Paul De Frick 1864 - Paris - 1935 French Painter “A Lady playing with a Cat” Signature: signed lower left and dated ‘P. de Frick. 96’ Medium: oil on canvas
 Dimensions: image size ...
Category

Late 19th Century Impressionist Interior Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

'The Mischievous Little Artists' by Edgard Farasyn (1858 – Antwerp – 1938)
Located in Knokke, BE
Edgard Farasyn 1858 – Antwerp – 1938 Belgian Painter 'The Mischievous Little Artists' Signature: signed middle lower left and dated 'Edg. Farasyn 1881' Medium: oil on canvas Dimens...
Category

Late 19th Century Romantic Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

A Meal, Charles Van Den Eycken, Brussels 1859 – 1923, Belgian Painter
Located in Knokke, BE
A Meal Van Den Eycken Charles Brussels 1859 – 1923 Belgian Painter Signature: Attributed to Charles Van Den Eycken Medium: Oil on panel Dimens...
Category

19th Century Realist Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

'Girl at the Mirror' by Victor Abeloos (1881 – 1965), signed and dated 1920
By Victor Abeloos
Located in Knokke, BE
Victor Abeloos 1881 – Brussels – 1965 Belgian Painter 'Girl at the Mirror' Signature: signed lower left and dated 1920 'V. Abeloos. 1920' Medium: oil on panel Dimensions: ima...
Category

Early 20th Century Impressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

'The Little Writer – L’écrivain' 1913 by Charles Van Den Eycken (1859 – 1923)
By Charles Van Den Eycken
Located in Knokke, BE
Charles Van Den Eycken 1859 – Brussels – 1923 Belgian Painter 'The Little Writer – L’écrivain' 1913 Signature: signed lower left and dated 'Ch. Van den Eycken 1913.' Medium: oil on...
Category

Early 20th Century Romantic Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel

Confrontation, Charles Van Den Eycken, Brussels 1859 – 1923, Belgian Painter
By Charles Van Den Eycken
Located in Knokke, BE
Confrontation Van Den Eycken Charles Brussels 1859 – 1923 Belgian Painter Signature: Signed bottom right Medium: Oil on canvas Dimensions: Image size 28 x 21,50 cm, frame size 36 x 30 cm Biography: Van Den Eycken Charles (alias Charles Duchene) was born in Brussels in 1859. He was an animal painter, mainly dogs and cats and interiors. He was the son of Charles Van Den Eycken...
Category

19th Century Romantic Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

You May Also Like

"Curiosity Reflected" - Cats and Kittens by Henriette Ronner (1894)
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: "Curiosity Reflected" - Cats and Kittens by Henriette Ronner (1894) Description: "Curiosity Reflected" is a delightful print from the "Cats and Kittens" series by Henriette R...
Category

Antique 1890s Prints

Materials

Paper

Jules Leroy (French, 1856-1921) Kittens at Play
By Jules Leroy
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Jules Leroy (French, 1856-1921) Kittens at Play, signed and dated 'J. Leroy / 1899' (lower right) oil on canvas 33.1 x 41.0 cm (13 1/16 x 16 1/8 in). framed 59.0 x 67.0 x 7.5 cm (23 ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Jules Gustave LeRoy (1856-1921, French) "Curious Kittens and Wasp"
Located in San Francisco, CA
Jules Gustave LeRoy (1856-1921, French) "Curious Kittens and Wasp" Oil on Canvas 21.5" x 25.75" unframed 28.75" x 33"
Category

20th Century Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

French 1890s Oil on Canvas Painting Featuring Playing Kittens in Giltwood Frame
By Laroche
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French oil on canvas animal painting signed Laroche from the late 19th century with giltwood frame. This French oil on canvas painting features two lovely kittens playing with a st...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Curious Kittens, 1906 Pastel, Kitten, Cats, Antique Cat Painting, Pet, Pets
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
Zula Kenyon (American, 1873-1947) Signed: Kenyon - '06 - " Curious Kittens ", 1906 Pastel on Paper 13 1/4" x 16 1/2" Housed in a 4" Period Ornamented Frame with a 1" Liner Over...
Category

Early 20th Century Animal Paintings

Materials

Pastel

Hide and Seek, 1880 Oil on Canvas, Kittens in Basket, Cats, Cat, Kitten, Pet
By August Laux
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
August Laux (German/American, 1853-1921) Signed: August Laux (Lower, Right) " Hide and Seek ", circa 1880 Oil on Canvas 16" x 20" Housed in a 3" Period Ornamented Frame with a 1...
Category

Late 19th Century Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil