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Dimensions: measurements 18 by 21 in. alternate measurements 45.7 by 53.3 cm

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Provenance: Private Collection (and sold: Sotheby's, New York, April 24, 2003, lot 60, illustrated)
Acquired at the above sale by the present owner

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Notes: We would like to thank Damien Bartoli for providing this catalogue note and for confirming the authenticity of this lot. We would also like to thank the Munier descendents for providing additional catalogue information. Howard L. Rehs has authenticated this work from a photograph and will include it in his forthcoming Émile Munier catalogue raisonné to be published by Rehs Galleries, Inc. (www.emilemunier.org)
This charming small portrait depicts Marie Louise Munier. Although the work is dated 1880, the young girl was most likely painted by her father Émile Munier around 1876, at a time when Marie Louise was roughly two years old, three at most. Munier often utilized earlier drawings and sketches for later compositions. Thanks to the heirs of the Munier family, we know that Émile Munier was a true "family man," who was always deeply attached to his two children, Henri, son of Henriette Lucas, and Marie Louise, daughter of Sargine Augrand whom he remarried after the death of his first wife. It was thus natural that his children frequently were used as models, and especially his daughter, born in 1874, who was perhaps closer to her father. This small painting is very representative of the art of Munier, a student and disciple of William Bouguereau. This vibrant small portrait perfectly reflects the happiness and the harmony which prevailed in the Munier home. A photograph from this time, still preserved in the family archives, attests to the authenticity of this painting for which the original title eludes us.