First hand research
free from scurrilous and salacious innuendo.
Text and illustrations by George W. Randall.
This work by Louis Galliac titled “Woman
taking
coffee” is listed in the 1883 Paris Salon
Catalogue of artists original drawings
and titled “Fantaisie”.
In the year 1883 Monica Ducarel (Lady Bullough)
celebrated her 14th birthday.
The ornate, gilded framed portrait hangs
between the bedrooms of Sir George and
Lady Bullough on the first floor south corridor of Kinloch Castle. Signed by the artist in the lower left corner the oil on canvas measures
44 x 51 inches (108 x 124 cms.).
Louis Galliac was born at Dijon, France on 25 August 1849.
He was a prolific artist and today his works are much sought after.
He died in Paris in 1934.
The drawing
above
is titled
‘Fantaisie’
by
Louis Galliac.
It was published in
the Catalogue
illustré
de
Peinture et Sculpture
Salon
de 1897
by the
Société
Nationale
des
Beaux-Arts
Exposition.
Catalogue des
Ouvrages Exposés au Palais des Champs-Élysées le
20 Avril 1897
689 GALLIAC (L)
H.C. rue Turgot 3 “FANTAISIE”
An
illustrated catalogue of the original works by artists displayed at the
Exposition des Beaux-Arts with an alphabetical list of their names followed by
circa 380 black and white reproductions.
Paintings from the
Salon
and the Champ de Mars, Paris in 1895
were
exhibited at the Jordan Art Gallery, Boston, Massachusetts,
commencing December 1897
and included:
Galliac (Louis) 123 Fantaisie (Woman taking coffee)
Louis Galliac's
“Fantaisie”
was also listed in the 1883 Paris Salon Catalogue
In 1883 Lady
Bullough would have been only fourteen years old.
Therefore the
1883 record of Galliac’s “Fantaisie”
strongly suggests the undated but signed portrait at Kinloch Castle
strongly suggests the undated but signed
is based on Louis Galliac’s original,
but is it supposed to represent Lady Bullough?
As the saying goes: "THAT IS THE QUESTION."
but is it supposed to represent Lady Bullough?
As the saying goes: "THAT IS THE QUESTION."
*
The annual Salon of French artists was first held in Paris in 1881.
Assessed by a
professional conservationist in March 1996 the oil on a fine close weave
linen canvas was found to be in “good condition overall.”
linen canvas was found to be in “good condition overall.”
All
four corners had “slight cockling.”
Tension was “slack” which had resulted in “some
planar deformations. Several areas of fine drying cracks” were noted
particularly “in the flesh painting and shadows of the sitter's left calf.”
“One
local area of unstable paint was noted, caused by finger pressure from the
reverse when handling. Staining
and streakiness is particularly noticeable
on the right side in the purple
drapery.”
The
Report continues: “The varnish remains in generally good condition and has not
significantly discoloured, but the surface dirt and staining contributes to a
dull and patchy appearance.” All work recommended, which also included,
adjustment of canvas tension, could be carried out on site.
The frame has sustained damage particularly along the bottom edge. |
*
A 40 x 30 inch
photogravure print in ochre by the French painter
Louis Galliac (1849 – 1934)
of “a young
naked woman sitting on her back”.
Galliac first
exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1879
his works receiving
numerous awards over the years.
This print was
published in
“The Exposition des Beaux arts -Salon de 1883”
held in Paris.
ART TREASURES OF KINLOCH CASTLE
Originally posted on the 5th of September 2016
Reviewed with Additional material + 23 January 2024.
Reviewed with Additional material + 23 January 2024.
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