Adolphe Monticelli, 'Subject Composition', probably 1870-90
About the work
Overview
During his stay in Paris in the 1860s Monticelli began to paint fêtes galantes. This term derives from the pictures depicting elegantly dressed men and women, generally placed in a parkland setting and engaged in conversation, that became popular in eighteenth-century France, most often associated with Antoine Watteau. This group is typical of such a scene. The specific subject has not been identified, which is often the case with Monticelli’s late pictures. Three female figure are clearly distinguishable, while another figure, which may be male, stands in the background.
The panel is thickly painted: strong, horizontal strokes are used in the landscape, while the figures are built up with thinner, more dynamic brushwork. In some areas Monticelli seems to have applied many layers of different colours right on the surface, without mixing them first on the palette.
Key facts
Details
- Full title
- Subject Composition
- Artist
- Adolphe Monticelli
- Artist dates
- 1824 - 1886
- Date made
- probably 1870-90
- Medium and support
- oil on wood
- Dimensions
- 21 × 15.9 cm
- Inscription summary
- Signed
- Acquisition credit
- Presented as part of the 'Harry Wearne Collection of Twelve Paintings by Monticelli' to the Tate Gallery, 1939; transferred, 1956
- Inventory number
- NG5018
- Location
- Not on display
- Collection
- Main Collection
Provenance
Additional information
Text extracted from the ‘Provenance’ section of the catalogue entry in Martin Davies, with additions and some revisions by Cecil Gould, ‘National Gallery Catalogues: French School: Early 19th Century, Impressionists, Post-Impressionists, etc.’, London 1970; for further information, see the full catalogue entry.
Bibliography
-
1957Martin Davies, National Gallery Catalogues: French School, 2nd edn (revised), London 1957
-
1970Davies, Martin, and Cecil Gould, National Gallery Catalogues: French School: Early 19th Century, Impressionists, Post-Impressionists etc., London 1970
-
2001
C. Baker and T. Henry, The National Gallery: Complete Illustrated Catalogue, London 2001
About this record
If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.