Claude-charles Rudhardt - Portrait Of A Doe - Circa 1850-1860

A native of Geneva, Claude Charles Rudhardt is better known for his work as a ceramic painter. He is rightly considered one of the best artists of the second half of the 19th century in this category. First associated with the ceramist Genlis in Paris, from 1862, he participated with him in the Universal Exhibition of 1867.

Thereafter, Rudhardt worked mainly in collaboration with the pottery of Longwy. His production of paintings is more confidential but corresponds more to the personal ambitions of the artist. Seduced by Egypt, he painted some orientalist paintings and great Egyptian archaeological sites.

Our painting is very singular for the artist but demonstrates all his talent. Freed from any narrative context, the beautiful animal is represented, not in full flight pursued by dogs, nor even in the center of a large landscape, but as a portrait in bust. The animal is not staged; he is represented for himself. This new way of representing the animal, which betrays the artist's deep attachment to animals and nature, reminds us of the works of Rosa Bonheur.