Constantin Ernest Adolphe Hyacinthe Guys (French, 1802-1892)

Baudelaire referred to Guys as "the painter of modern life". He spent 20 years with the Greek resistance and then with the French cavalry during the Restoration. He disappeared from public view for the next 12 years, re-emerging with work for the Illustrated London News. He was a correspondant in the Crimea, painting scenes in Istanbul, Greece and the surrounding areas. He worked from 1857 for the Monde Illustré to much acclaim from Nadar and Baudelaire. Degas and Monet were fascinated by his quick, fluid studies of daily life, including prostitution which may be the subject of this lot.