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

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

It represents an archery training session. In the center, there is a man wearing a light white toga, his legs resting on a rock, drawing a bow and preparing to shoot at a target that is none other than a stuffed fox. Around him are several characters, some of whom are wearing pieces of armor and observing him. Further to the left, there are three characters waiting for the arrow to be shot, and a man leaning on a spear is next to the target. Finally, in the upper part, at the center, a man observes the scene from the top of the cliff.

The painting is not signed, but its subject is not unknown! Indeed, the same work can be found at the Musée de l'Archerie in Crépy-en-Valois. The painting in the museum's collection is also unsigned, and one can notice slight differences, such as the target not being a fox carcass but a straw man dressed in a red tunic.

In continuing my research, I discovered that this subject has been depicted by the painter several times with some details that can change from one version to another, like the target or the choice of certain colors. It is also important to keep 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 found success 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 obviously 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 snag on the lower left part, but it is hardly noticeable and does not detract from the quality of the work. 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. Feel free to visit and subscribe to my shop.