Charles Herrmann-Léon Art

HERRMANN LEON Charles (1838-1908) le chien Rosette (Rosette the Dog) Oil on canvas signed low Old frame regilded with gold leaves Dim canvas : 46 X 34 cm Dim frame : 65 X 52 cm ...

A work that is full of motion, Herrmann-Léon uses a high bokay to create a sense of speed and urgency in the scene. Only the first three sheep are clearly in focus, each quite motivated by the blur of a dog in the forefront - their little legs are only barely touching the dirt path as they move along towards the distant shepherd. The warm tones of rich soil under a hazy sky leave the viewer with a certain nostalgia. This finely painted work is signed lower left in his typical manner, “Ch. Herrman”, the back of the painting retaining a very early art dealer label of “P. Hombert fils” in Paris and the work housed in what is almost certainly the original frame. This very finely carved work is a blend of solid wood carvings and applied molded gesso, all under original gilt with a wonderful oxidized patina. It is a most attractive piece for collectors passionate about animal scenes. Artist Biography: Charles Herrmann-Léon was born in Le Havre in July of 1838, studying under both Philippe Rousseau and Eugéne Fromentin before his first exhibition at the Paris Salon in 1861. His early work included still-lifes and landscape paintings, generally in oil, later becoming specialized in hunt scenes and studies focused around working dogs. From 1861 through his death in 1908 he exhibited at the Société des Artists Français, exhibiting at the Exposition Universelle to earn a third-class medal in 1873, second-class medal in 1879 and a silver medal in 1900. Additionally he exhibited at both Munich in 1879 and Vienna in 1894 before being awarded with membership of the Legion d’Honneur in 1897. His painting of “Wolf...