An atelier in Nantes

 

Portrait d'un homme, 1897 (Portrait of a Man)

Oil on Canvas, 110,2 x 91,2 cm

Musée d'arts de Nantes

Photo: Cécile Clos / Musée d'arts de Nantes

I’ve mentioned in a few earlier blog posts that Richard Hall lived between 1897 and 1899 at two addresses: Avenue Victor-Hugo 43 in Paris and Rue La Galissonnière 3 in Nantes. From digitized newspapers in the French National Library, I found two articles related to Hall’s work in Nantes. They reveal that he held exhibitions there and had a studio at least from the beginning of 1898. In addition to these news articles, this post draws on information from the website of INHA, the French National Institute for Art History, which provides insights into the art scene in Nantes.

News Coverage

A news item published in Journal le Phare de la Loire on December 23, 1897, states that Hall’s works were frequently admired in the window display of Laugé, and that he “has just held a very beautiful private exhibition at the Préaubert gallery.” This likely refers to Louis Préaubert (born either in 1844 or 1854 – died in 1926*). He ran a business in painting, furniture, tapestries, and interior decoration on Rue du Calvaire in Nantes from 1888. In April 1889, a workshop and gallery were opened in connection with the store. At the same time, the Société des amis des arts de Nantes (Society of Friends of the Arts of Nantes) was founded to promote visual arts in the city. Préaubert was active in the society for nearly fifteen years.

On January 28, 1898, Journal le Phare de la Loire reported on the opening of Hall’s new studio on Rue Dobré. The street is located in central Nantes, about half a kilometer from Hall’s residence. The article notes that the studio was well-designed and beautifully decorated. The opening was celebrated with “an intimate dinner, to which close friends and a few of this esteemed artist’s many admirers were invited.” Among those present were Messrs. Douault, Victor and Gaston Cossé, Viot, Fabriès, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas-Maisonneuve, Mr. and Mrs. Marx, Mr. and Mrs. Chauvel, Mr. and Mrs. Caldaguez, Mr. and Mrs. Jandin, and Messrs. Alliez and Rillardan. Based on the article, the event appears to have been a social gathering, featuring, among other things, music by Grieg.

Portraits

I’ve found two paintings from these years for which publishable photographs are available. I don’t know where Hall painted them. The collection of the Nantes Museum of Fine Arts includes Portrait d’un homme (Portrait of a Man) from 1897. The museum received the work as a donation from M. Mathieu in 1940. According to terminology used in art history, it is considered a character study, as the name of the depicted person is not provided. Based on the photograph, however, the painting is a psychologically perceptive portrayal of an elderly gentleman calmly gazing at the viewer. The composition highlights the subject’s personality, as the dark background blends into the man’s dark suit, thereby emphasizing his face, framed by a white beard.

The following year, Hall completed Portrait du capitaine d’artillerie Louis Homberg (Portrait of Artillery Captain Louis Homberg), which was likely a commissioned work. The subject belongs to the French Legion of Honour, the country’s highest order of merit. The painting conveys the sitter’s confidence, and his attire with decorations reflects his status. The warm, red-toned atmosphere of the portrait is quite different from the serene mood of Portrait of a Man. The latter appears to be painted with a light, translucent technique except for the face and hands, whereas the portrait of Louis Homberg is rendered throughout with bold and rich colors. What the two works share is the pose: both subjects are depicted seated and viewed slightly from the front right angle.

 

Portrait du capitaine d'artillerie Louis Homberg (1853-1926), chevalier de la Légion d'honneur, 1898

(Portrait of Artillery Captain Louis Homberg (1853-1926), Chevalier of the Legion of Honour)

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

* INHA’s website lists Préaubert’s birth year as 1844, while the Musée d’Orsay website gives 1854.