An ambitious and impressive canvas by the artist Georges Moreau de Tours

This canvas untitled La Morphine, auctioned by Artcurial in March 2018, is as impressive as it is ambitious, bringing together practically all the qualities which make a work of art desirable; first among these being the subject – which is remarkably provocative and modern. It was exhibited at the Salon of 1886, which confirms the importance of the painting for the public, the critics and its creator. Provenance is documented from the beginning and the important historic and bibliographic aspects are elements which only add to the seductive nature of the work. Last but not least, the untypical style which clearly emerges reveals, with some force, the unique plastic identity of the artist.

This collection of features and the attributes of the painting style, leave no doubt that this work ranks among the masterpieces of its time. Interestingly enough, the only element which could be considered missing is one of the most sought-after in the context of the current market – what we might call the ‘need to have a famous name’.

For the creator of this composition is most definitely not one of those star-artists that the fickle history of art has decided to honour. And maybe rightly so, Moreau de Tours is a name which is better known in the scientific world than in artistic circles. But Georges Moreau de Tours, a pupil of the renowned Alexandre Cabanel, has nevertheless managed, through a handful of canvases – Les Morphinées being a perfect example, to make his mark. Little by little he freed himself from the persisting classicism of his master, without ever completely breaking from it.

His art is closer to the style of Henri Gervex, an artist whose life was, incidentally, completely changed by a meeting with Edouard Manet in 1873. The influence of the master responsible for L’Olympia is clearly visible in our canvas. Our artist’s painting skilfully straddles the naturalist classicism which was still dominant and the impressionist modernism which was boldly emerging in the 1880s.

At €529,800, the auction price reached for this canvas and a record for the artist, is perfectly understandable. It is also proof of the encouraging and growing maturity of the market and that connoisseurs are gradually moving away from, or, shall we say, at least softening with regard to, the often wanton ‘need to have a famous name’

Information

Artcurial will be happy to welcome you again once the situation allows. Until then, you can contact the Old Masters Department for advice and any valuation requests.

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