Francisque Desportes (1849-1909) The Marquise De Lubersac Playing The Piano - Chaumont Quitry

Francisque DESPORTES
(Lyon 1849 - Paris 1909)
The Marquise de Lubersac née Odette de Chaumont Quitry (1853-1920) at the age of 26 playing the piano
Graphite and watercolor on paper
H. 28 cm; W. 21 cm at sight
Signed lower right, dated 1879

If Francisque Desportes, descendant of the famous painter of the hunts of Louis XIV, has remained in history, it is through his very vast know-how. A student of Pils, Robert-Fleury and Vollon, he devoted himself during his career to all styles, moving from genre scenes to still life, through neo-rococo decorations, or even portraits or landscapes. At ease in all these materials, he was able to seduce a large clientele in Paris.

Our portrait, made at the age of 30 when its illustrious model was 26, is perhaps a first drawing to prepare a large portrait. We see the future Marquise de Lubersac who married Guy de Lubersac three years earlier. She is represented here in profile, her head raised, concentrating on the scores that she is reading and whose fingers unfold the melody on a piano. Is she singing a tune with that slightly open mouth?

Born Odette de Chaumont Quitry, she will have descendants related to the Broglie, d'Hinnisdal, Nicolaÿ, d'Andigné, Murat, etc.