étienne Jean Audfray (1848-1911): Portrait Of A Bearded Man Ag30

Étienne Jean AUDFRAY (1848-1911): “Portrait of a bearded man” Oil on mounted canvas Frame dimensions: 65 cm x 54 Signed in the center right. > DO NOT CONFUSE WITH THE SCULPTOR ETIENNE AUDFRAY (* 1922). Price nonnegotiable. Payment by check or bank transfer. Shipping costs 45 euros Registered Colissimo or Mondial Relay for France, other countries contact me. Provenance: the paintings presented under the reference AG+title number come from the personal collection of a passionate and meticulous amateur; the paintings have been cleaned by a professional and very carefully preserved. Any shiny areas in the photos are the reflection of the varnish under artificial light; the state of conservation of each painting is excellent. Étienne Jean Audfray was born in Saint-Christophe-du-Bois (Maine-et-Loire), on August 4, 1846. He wanted to be a priest and entered the Mongazon seminary in Angers. But, for an unknown reason, he abandoned his training and went to Paris to devote himself to painting. There he became the student and friend of Paul Flandrin (1811-1902), who taught him the art of portraiture and religious painting. His marriage took place in the capital, on January 15, 1889, with Benedetta Ciaraldi (1868-1918), model of his state, by whom he had a son, Étienne François (1890-1965). Audfray then settled in Angers, where he was a professor at the Mongazon institution, where he enriched the chapel, between 1903 and 1906, with interior decorations (murals and vaults), and became the favored portraitist of the clergy and the bourgeoisie. Angevin. He will adorn the churches and chapels of the diocese with his religious paintings. He signed his works: E. or Steph. Audfray. His death occurred in Angers on July 22, 1911. The Jeanne d'Arc Institution in Angers has five paintings by the artist in its chapel. These monumental canvases were commissioned from Etienne Audfray in 1890-1891, to adorn the chapel of an educational institution which moved in 1902 to rue Joubert in Angers, and became the Jeanne d'Arc Institution. They are inspired by paintings by great Masters and represent scenes related to religious education. A painted coat of arms was attached to the top of the painting, since removed (see last photo). It could help identify the character depicted. See also the press article: https://www.ouest- france.fr/pays-de-la-loire/saint-christophe-du-bois-49280/le-peintre- etienne-audfray-maintenant-sa- place-4282774).