Young Bather by Paul Chabas (1869-1937)

Certificate of Authenticity: Paul Emile Chabas (Nantes 1869 - Paris 1937) "Young Bather (Lake Annecy)" Oil on panel, 45.5 x 55 cm Signed lower right: Paul Chabas French painter and illustrator, born in Nantes on March 7, 1869, died in Paris on May 10, 1937. Paul Emile Chabas, younger brother of the painter Maurice Chabas (1862-1947), was a student of Bouguereau and Robert Fleury. Chabas exhibited regularly at the "Salon des Artistes Français" from 1890 to 1914, obtaining the third medal in 1895 with "Chez Alphonse Lemerre, à Ville d’Avray;" the second medal in 1896 with "Derniers rayons;" "Le Prix National du Salon" in 1899, and the gold medal at the Universal Exhibition of 1900. In 1908, 1911, and 1914, he exhibited at the Salon in Mulhouse. The artist debuted at the Salon presenting portraits and mundane genre scenes but achieved international fame exhibiting young bathers immersed in evocative atmospheres of light with "mauve" colored reflections. Member of the "Comité des Artistes Français" Medal of Honor at the "Salon des Artistes Français" in 1912. Appointed "Commandeur de la Légion d’Honneur" Around 1890, Chabas illustrated works by Paul Bourget and Alfred de Musset. Description: The painting described here depicts a young bather on the edge of Lake Annecy, where Chabas spent several summers around 1900, frequenting numerous artists present in that location, particularly Besnard, Leleu, Ménard,... These portraits, with their delicate sensuality, had such significant success that the famous magazine "L’illustration" reproduced photos of them in several editions. In particular, "Esprits des eaux" presented at the exhibition of the "Société des Artistes Français" of 1923 was published on the cover. (L’Illustration: 12/05/1923) (Cf. attached photo) In the same year, Chabas exhibited "Dans l’eau bleue" (lac d’Annecy) (L’Illustration 12/05/1923) (cf. attached photo) At the exhibition of the "Société nationale des Beaux-Arts" of 1925, Chabas exhibited "Calme du matin," which Jacques Baschet described in these terms: "Chabas nous apporte une nouvelle vision de son Lac d’Annecy. Ses petites baigneuses sont plus humaines que celles des années passées, fraîches, jeunes, heureuses dans la pâleur d’un beau matin." (L’Illustration: 09/05/1925) (cf. attached photo) Works present in the following museums: Paris: Petit Palais; Mulhouse: Musée des Beaux-arts; Tourcoing: Musée des Beaux-arts: “Un coin de table” 1904; Nantes: Musée des Beaux-arts: “Joyeux ébats” 1899. Houston Museum: Texas: "Matin de septembre" Bibliography: "DICTIONNAIRE DES PEINTRES SCULPTEURS DESSINATEURS ET GRAVEURS" E.Benezit Vol.2 (p.635) "LES PEINTRES DE LA SAVOIE" 1860-1960 Anne Butin - Sylvain Jacqueline Les éditions de l’amateur (p. 77-78-79) "DICTIONNAIRE DES LES PETITS MAITRES DE LA PEINTURE 1820-1920" Schurr & Cabane Les éditions de l’amateur (p.162-163) "ENCYCLOPEDIE DES FARCES ET ATTRAPES" (p. 380-381) Condition: good