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Lot 147
Hippolyte Petitjean (1854-1929)
Vision
Closed24 June 2016
More Information
Specialist note
Sold with a photo-certificate from Stéphane Kempa.
Hippolyte Petitjean met George Seurat in Paris in 1884 when the latter was developing his method of divisionism. His influence is echoed in the present composition by the short, colourful brushstrokes of his style. Petitjean's first enthusiasm for the technique of pointillism has by this time visibly matured and bought the artist to liberate himself from the systematic technique of the movement, which he believed was too restrictive, allowing him to adopt a less formal, more fluid style. The present composition of 1897, reflects the artist’s confident, mature handling in its conquest of scale by the use of a strong, vertical orientation; supported by long, slender tree trunks and the sinuous, elegant limbs of the figures in movement.
Vision is distinctly classical in aspect, referencing the triangular configuration of the three graces in its delicately poised trio of muses. The Arcadian landscape further speaks to this notion with the clothing and gesture of the figures presenting a seemingly allegorical narrative, depicting youth, beauty and sensuality; perhaps the virtues of charm, beauty, and creativity or expressing the transition of burgeoning womanhood.
Petitjean’s work is held in notable collections throughout the world including the Musée d’Orsay, Paris, the Musée Thyssen Bornemisza, Madrid, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Hippolyte Petitjean met George Seurat in Paris in 1884 when the latter was developing his method of divisionism. His influence is echoed in the present composition by the short, colourful brushstrokes of his style. Petitjean's first enthusiasm for the technique of pointillism has by this time visibly matured and bought the artist to liberate himself from the systematic technique of the movement, which he believed was too restrictive, allowing him to adopt a less formal, more fluid style. The present composition of 1897, reflects the artist’s confident, mature handling in its conquest of scale by the use of a strong, vertical orientation; supported by long, slender tree trunks and the sinuous, elegant limbs of the figures in movement.
Vision is distinctly classical in aspect, referencing the triangular configuration of the three graces in its delicately poised trio of muses. The Arcadian landscape further speaks to this notion with the clothing and gesture of the figures presenting a seemingly allegorical narrative, depicting youth, beauty and sensuality; perhaps the virtues of charm, beauty, and creativity or expressing the transition of burgeoning womanhood.
Petitjean’s work is held in notable collections throughout the world including the Musée d’Orsay, Paris, the Musée Thyssen Bornemisza, Madrid, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.