dated 1848, inscribed “T.H.” on the reverse and inscribed “Mme. M. Lemusurier” on a label on the reverse
16 × 13.75 in (40.6 × 34.9 cm)
Auction Estimate:$6,000 - $8,000
Sale date:June 8, 2023
Price Realized
$4,200
(including Buyer's Premium)
Provenance
P. Labranche, Montreal
Walter Klinkoff Gallery, Montreal, 1977
Acquired by the present Private Collection, November 1977
Exhibited
“Collector’s Canada: Selections from a Toronto Private Collection”, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto; travelling to Musée du Québec, Quebec City; Vancouver Art Gallery; Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon, 14 May 1988‒7 May 1989, no. 3
“Hommage to Walter Klinkhoff (Part I)”, Galerie Walter Klinkhoff, Montreal, September 1988, no. 12
Literature
Dennis Reid, “Collector’s Canada: Selections from a Toronto Private Collection”, Toronto, 1988, no. 3, reproduced page 16
Théophile Hamel began his career at the young age of sixteen, when he accepted an apprenticeship with Antoine Plamondon, the most prominent Quebec artist at the time. During this six-year period, Hamel received a strong formal training in European-style painting and portraiture. Upon leaving Plamondon’s workshop, Hamel traveled to Europe from 1843 to 1846, staying in Rome, Venice, London and Paris, to further his study of historical portrait painting.
After settling in Montreal, Hamel quickly won the respect of the élite; he was encouraged by the three dominant social groups interested in art: clergy, politicians, and businessmen. He was appointed official portrait painter by the government of the United Canadas in June 1853, and entrusted with the high honour of painting portraits of past and present speakers of the assemblies and legislative councils. Hamel’s style was known for its verisimilitude; he had a particular talent for handling daring chromatic effects, reflections and the rendition of luxurious fabrics.
