Georges Antoine Rochegrosse (1859 – 1938), The blind man's fly

Georges Antoine Rochegrosse (Versailles 1859 – El-Biar 1938)

The blindman's fly

Oil on canvas, 67,5 × 42,5 cm

Signature top left: G.Rochegrosse

A child's fun game becomes the protagonist of this Pompeian scene created by the French painter Georges Antoine Rochegrosse (Versailles 1859 – El-Biar 1938).

Georges Rochegrosse, French historical and decorative painter, was born in Versailles in 1859. His life was marked by important artistic and literary figures from childhood: abandoned by his father, he grew up with his stepfather, the great poet Théodore de Banville, in an environment intellectual and stimulating. He began studying with Alfred Dehodencq and at just 12 years old he entered the Académie Julian under the guidance of Gustave Boulanger and Jules Lefebvre, where he later became a teacher.

Thanks to the freer environment of the Académie Julian, Rochegrosse also participated in the École des Beaux-Arts, arriving as a finalist in the Prix de Rome twice. In 1883 he won the Prix du Salon, which allowed him to visit Italy, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Around 1890 he married his beloved Marie Leblond, who for about 30 years was the leading model for his heroines.

Starting in 1900, Rochegrosse and Marie spent winters in El-Biar, Algeria, where the painter often found oriental backdrops for his compositions. 

He made his debut at the Salon de la Société des Artistes Français in 1882 with “Vitellius dragged through the streets of Rome by the plebs”. He also participated in the Salon de la Société des Aquarellistes Français. In Algeria, he was active in the Salon des Artistes Algériens et Orientalistes, the Union Artistique de l'Afrique du Nord and the Syndicat Professionnel des Artistes Algériens. Among the awards he obtained the Prix du Salon in 1883; of which he became a member of the Salon in 1887; a bronze medal at the Universal Exhibition of 1889 and a medal of honor in 1906. He was appointed Officier of the Légion d'Honneur in 1910 and was a permanent member of the jury of the Salon.

Using his narrative skills and undisputed expertise, Rochegrosse illustrated several literary works, including “The Oresteia” by Aeschylus in 1889, “Hérodias” by Flaubert in 1892, “Salammbô” by Flaubert in 1900 and works by Victor Hugo, Théophile Gautier and Prince Demidoff.

Growing up in the shadow of a literary giant like his stepfather, Rochegrosse boldly followed in Delacroix's footsteps: in his early years, subjects came from the Egyptian, Roman, and Byzantine civilizations, for which Banville helped him reconstruct authentic details. The end of this period was marked by the great success of his “Death of Babylon” at the Salon. Rochegrosse was fascinated by Wagnerian mythology and painted The Mastersingers of Nuremberg and Tannhäuser, while Parsifal inspired him for Knight with Flowers. In his later phase he tackled allegorical themes and returned to historically based dramatic subjects, such as Assassination of Emperor Geta. Starting from 1900, spending the winters in El-Biar, Rochegrosse preferred to choose subjects that allowed him to exploit the oriental scenarios that surrounded him. 

His hunger was such that even in Sherlock Holmes, Conan Doyle praises one of his paintings.

The present composition set in a Roman interior can be considered the fruit of his first production, which was still strongly influenced by the teachings of de Banville and that neo-Pompeian culture which spread thanks to the intensification of excavations in the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. 

The object is in good condition

With Ars Antiqua it is possible to defer all amounts up to a maximum of €7.500 at ZERO INTEREST, for a total of 15 INSTALLMENTS.

E.g. Total €4.500 = Monthly installment €300 for 15 months.

E.g. Total €3.600 = Monthly installment €720 for 5 months.

For amounts exceeding €7.500 or for a longer period of time (over 15 installments), we can provide a personalized payment.

Contact us directly to get the best quote.

LIVE

– SUNDAY 17.00pm – 21.00pm Dig. terr. 126 + 809 SKY

– THURSDAY 21.00pm – 23.00pm Dig.terr. 134 + 809 SKY

– Streaming on our website www.arsantiquasrl.com and on our social networks Facebook and Youtube

All the works proposed by Ars Antiqua are sold accompanied by a certificate of authenticity in accordance with the law and an accurate information sheet.

It is possible to see the works directly at the showroom gallery in Milan, in via Pisacane 55 and 57.

We personally organize transport and deliveries of the works, both for Italy and abroad.