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Dimensions: measurements 18 1/4 by 15 1/8 in. alternate measurements 46.3 by 38.4 cm
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Provenance: Private Collection, Chicago (since circa 1930)
Thence by descent
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Notes: We would like to thank Damien Bartoli for providing this catalogue note (translated from the French) and for confirming the authenticity of this lot. We would also like to thank the Munier descendants for providing additional catalogue information. Howard L. Rehs has authenticated this work from a photograph and will include it in his forthcoming catalogue raisonné to be published by Rehs Galleries, Inc. (www.emilemunier.org)
PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE WEST COAST COLLECTION
This small canvas is a fine representative of the art of Munier, a student of William Bouguereau. Although in the present work, Munier idealizes his figures less than his master but still, one easily detects the influence of Bouguereau's portraits of dark-eyed, curly-haired children. As in many of Munier's other canvases depicting the young, elfish Cupid, the artist's son Henri most likely served as the model. Although the painting dates from 1892, when Henri was twenty-five years old, it presents us with a boy of a much younger age. Indeed, it was not unusual for Munier to make use of drawings and drafts from several years prior in order to paint scenes of this type. As explained by the artist's descendants, we know that Munier had a close relationship with his family and was incredibly close to his two children, Henri, son of Henriette Lucas, and Marie Louise, daughter of Sargine Augrand. Certainly, this lively portrait perfectly reflects the joy Munier felt at the blossoming youth of his elder child during an era when infant mortality was so common. Close study of the present work reveals similarities to Munier's Alert exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1892. Like Amour, Alert portrays Cupid with Henri's features but in a full-length composition.
