An Artist At The Piano

Important portrait of an artist, seated at the piano, dated, 1907, by Valentine Reyre. Valentine Reyre (1889-1943), frequented Georges Desvallieres and Antoine Bourdelle, and was part of the Society of Saint John, which worked to renovate religious arts. She made a career as a stained glass artist, making frescoes for many churches. She founded L'Arche with Henri Charlier and Maurice Storez in 1916. This portrait dated 1907 is a work of youth already well established. The identity of the artist represented escapes us. Could it be a musician of the time, we have no indication. The grand piano is certainly an Erard, a common instrument in beautiful French homes. The canvas is in excellent condition, certainly cleaned a few years ago.