Charlemagne Oscar Guet (1801-1871), Phoebus At Madame De Gondelaurier's

Charlemagne Oscar Guet (1801-1871) Phébus chez Madame de Gondelaurier Oil on canvas, 54.5 x 73 cm Signed and dated 1838, lower right This painting is based on a composition that the artist created for the 1837 salon. An autograph replica of the painting made by the artist in 1838, our work shows Phébus courting Fleur-de-Lys in the salon of his mother, Madame de Gondelaurier. Inspired by Victor Hugo's novel, Notre-Dame de Paris, published in 1831, our painting honors important protagonists of the story, in the shadow of the towers of the cathedral of the same name. Fleur-de-Lys de Gondelaurier is the young woman promised in marriage to Captain Phébus. He also falls in love with the beautiful Esmeralda. Mad with jealousy, Fleur-de-Lys will demand the death of her competitor to forgive her fiancé. After passing through the studio of Antoine Jean Gros from 1818 to 1821, Oscar Guet received the teachings of Louis Hersent then of Horace Vernet. It is probably in this context conducive to troubadour inspiration that our painter conceived this painting as well as another representing Phébus and Esmeralda at Falourdet's. Master of the genre, Guet will distinguish himself in many historical or romantic paintings with a troubadour dominance.