Huge Watercolor By Charles Toché – For Flaubert – With Frédéric Mistral - 1880

Introduction The work that we present to you today is a major work for all those interested in these three men. Charles Toché, on the one hand, considered the most prestigious watercolorist of all time. » (Gustave Babin, Comoedia, October 23, 1929). Gustave Flaubert, who submitted the idea to the painter during an evening at the Château de Chenonceau and finally Frédéric Mistral who poses for the artist. Description of the work Charles Toché created this watercolor in order to illustrate Flaubert's book “The Temptation of Saint-Antoine”. Frédéric Mistral, who poses for him, is the Intendant of the Queen of Sheba. Dressed in a simple, totally exuberant pink and blue cape with a white upper part that looks like lace. Mistral wears a blue and yellow orientalist scarf on her head which seems crowned with a purple pompom. The naked and muscular body, only her private parts are hidden by an oriental jewel held by a necklace resting on her hips. In his right hand, he holds a cigarette, provocative or bantering as the commentators of the time felt. (Deuzem in Art and Fashion on March 7, 1891). Bottom left "Study for Gustave Flaubert's illustration 'The Temptation of Saint-Antoine' Charles Toché, Chenonceau 1881. The work measures 128x78cm with its frame and 100x50cm the view alone. Historical context Charles Toché created the work " the intendant of the Queen of Sheba" in 1881 in the Château de Chenonceau where he worked for several years on the creation of the decorations of the great gallery of the château. It was in the spring of 1880 that he met the writer. Gustave Flaubert, accompanied by the owner of the place, Flaubert recites two of his works, Salammbô and The Temptation of Saint-Antoine. Charles Toché admires Flaubert and the two artists. became friends (Le Temps, January 19, 1887) It was at this moment that Toché decided to illustrate Flaubert's work, the Temptation of Saint-Antoine. even de Chenonceau Toché is a watercolorist, a virtuoso, his works are “so vigorous, so powerful, so original, so lived” exclaims a journalist of the time. The model chosen by Toché, to embody “The steward of the Queen of Sheba”, is Frédéric Mistral. The tall felibrige poses for the artist who makes him a muscular man wearing an oriental cheche in a luxuriant coat, a cigarette in his hand. This painting, completed in 1881, a few weeks after Flaubert's death, was a great success. The press praised this work as one of the artist's most “powerful”. In 1891, she was already described as “famous”. (Le Pays, June 4, 1891) She has just “finished characterizing the work of Charles Toché”, “the most prestigious watercolorist of all time. » (Gustave Babin, Comoedia, October 23, 1929). History of the work 1880-1881: Charles Toché creates the work entitled “The Intendant of the Queen of Sheba” January 15, 1887: it is exhibited for the first time in Paris at the Georges Petit gallery February 1891: Toché exhibits the work at the watercolorists' salon June 3, 1891: work exhibited in Drouot June 4, 1891: sale in Drouot of the work Since in the family by inheritance to us. The buyer will be given the entire historical file of the work with extracts from period newspapers.