ROMANTIC/ORIENTALIST PAINTING 19th CENTURY - SHOOTING TRAINING - ADRIEN GUIGNET

  

Romantic and Orientalist Painting (oil on wood panel), dating from the mid-19th century and unsigned. It depicts a scene taking place in an enclave, in a desert or at least in a relatively arid location.

It represents an archery training session. In the center, there is a man wearing a light white toga, his legs supported on a rock, drawing a bow and preparing to shoot at a target which is none other than a stuffed fox.

Surrounding him are several characters, some of whom are wearing pieces of armor and watching him. Further to the left, there are three figures waiting for the arrow to be shot, and a man leaning on a lance is beside the target. Finally, in the upper part, at the center, a man observes the scene from the top of the cliff. The painting is unsigned but its subject is not unknown! Indeed, the same work can be found at the Museum of Archery in Crépy-en-Valois.

The painting in the Museum's collection is also unsigned, and one can notice slight differences such as the target, which is not a fox carcass but a straw man dressed in a red tunic. Continuing my research, I saw that this subject has been interpreted by the painter several times, with certain details that can change from one version to another, such as the target or the choice of certain colors. It should also be kept in mind that when a work was very successful at a salon or an exhibition, the artist could reproduce it at will.

Guignet was a painter known for his Orientalist paintings who was successful in his time but died young. Everything suggests that this painting is by his hand, but since the work is unsigned and I have not shown it to an expert, I am in no position to certify the authorship of this piece. I leave it to you to form your own opinion on the matter!

Dimensions: - 38 cm / 21 cm. 55 cm / 38 cm (frame). Note: the painting is in good condition!

I would like to point out a very slight tear on the lower left part, but it is hardly noticeable and does not affect the quality of the work in any way. I remain at your disposal if you have any questions. More photos available upon request. I'm able to understand English and to be understood. So, if you have any questions you can contact me.

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