Guarisco Gallery 2012

46 ollowing the Industrial Revolution, the new privileged class built large, beautiful homes in no modest display of wealth. Greatly cherished was the idea of the ‘home.’ Themes such as the gentle wife lounging in the tranquility of her beautiful surroundings were appealing to both patrons and artists. The wife, as a subject, is free from domestic toil and is often seen enjoying leisurely pursuits, such as lounging with her beloved children and adorable pets. Careful detail was executed in the rendering of the luxurious fabrics and decorative items which symbolized the new social and financial status of these subjects. Elegant Genre nown for his 18 th century historical genre scenes and his romantic visions of bourgeois motherhood, Adolphe Jourdan’s oeuvre exemplified the official taste of the French state during the latter half of the 19 th century. Jourdan’s works exhibit a highly refined degree of draftsmanship and composition as well as a technical capacity for rendering in oil rich, sensuous surfaces. The technical proficiency of his work as well as the sophistication of his compositions rank Jourdan comfortably alongside his contemporaries, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, Alexandre Cabanel, and Émile Munier. Exhibitions: Paris Salon, National Academy of Design, Boston Art Club [ Museums: Musée des Beaux-Arts, Lyon; Dahesh Mus. of Art; Metropolitan Mus. of Art] Adolphe Jourdan Adolphe Jourdan (Fr., 1825-1889) The Goodbyes signed, d. 1866, o/c 81” x 53” (89-3/4” x 61-1/4” fr.) Exhibited: Salon, Société des Artistes Français, Paris F K Leon Brunin Belgian, 1861-1949 The Music Lesson signed, o/c 49" x 35" (58" x 44-1/2" fr.)