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Charles-Joseph-Frédéric Soulacroix
Afternoon Tea by Charles-Joseph-Frédéric Soulacroix

19th Century

$124,500
£95,604.04
€109,672.88
CA$174,937.11
A$195,918.52
CHF 102,227.08
MX$2,393,060.52
NOK 1,300,625.87
SEK 1,225,995.75
DKK 818,475.31

About the Item

Charles-Joseph-Frédéric Soulacroix 1825-1879 French Afternoon Tea Oil on canvas Signed "F. Soulacroix" (lower right) A charming trio sits down for afternoon tea in this enchanting work by renowned costume painter Charles-Joseph-Frédéric Soulacroix. A master at depicting the silks and satins so popular among the fashionable elite of his age, Soulacroix has attired his coquettish young ladies in gowns that shimmer with realistic, intricate detail. The intimacy of the tableau and the extravagant surroundings make this enchanting oil on canvas all the more enticing. A superb record of the lives of the affluent French elite, Soulacroix's costumed figures embody the elegance and luxury of the most fashionable French salons. Soulacroix was arguably the most famous and accomplished painter of this idealized genre, referred to as the “Silk and Satins School” of the costume painters. Few could match the remarkable level of detail and realism he imparted onto each sumptuous canvas. In the present example, the gleaming folds of the ladies’ gowns appear smooth to the touch, and one can almost feel the many other lush textures of their opulent environment. Best known for his scenes of wealthy 18th-century figures, Soulacroix was undoubtedly the most famous and talented painter of his genre. He began studying art at the age of 25 at the esteemed École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and started exhibiting his works just four years later at the Paris Salon. Though he painted many historical scenes, it is his depictions of affluent French families in Napoleonic-era costumes that are his most popular among avid art collectors. He is touted for superbly recording the lives of the wealthy in their everyday luxurious pursuits—from taking tea to playing hide-and-seek, and from debuting at a ball to tending to a pet. He combined fantasy with reality, sensuality with sensibility and, above all, infused his compositions with an aura of luxury and sophistication. 19th century Canvas: 32” high x 24 1/4” wide (84.14 x 63.82 cm) Frame: 40 1/2" high x 32 1/4" wide (106.68 x 85.73 x 9.53 cm) Provenance: Collection of Lillian Piscantor, Sacramento, California Private collection, Mississippi Private collection, United Kingdom M.S. Rau Antiques, New Orleans Private collection, Texas
  • Creator:
    Charles-Joseph-Frédéric Soulacroix
  • Creation Year:
    19th Century
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 42 in (106.68 cm)Width: 33.75 in (85.73 cm)Depth: 3.75 in (9.53 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    New Orleans, LA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 31-91641stDibs: LU18615207662

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