Henri Joseph HARPIGNIES (1819-1916) - Lot 182

Henri Joseph HARPIGNIES (1819-1916) Contemplation on the banks of the Aumance, 1874 Oil on paper mounted on canvas Signed and dated lower left "H.Harpignies.74". 22 x 24 cm From 1869 onwards, Henri-Joseph Harpignies was a regular visitor to Hérisson, in the Bourbonnais region, where he painted the landscapes of the Aumance valley. This setting became one of his favorite subjects in the 1870s. Dated 1874, Contemplation au bord de l'Aumance is distinguished by the rare presence of a human figure, seated on a rock by the river. With its calm, meditative atmosphere, it is fully in keeping with the artist's production, while offering a more intimate, animated interpretation of the motif. This composition should be compared with other studies on paper of the banks of the Aumance executed in the same year, and with the large-format La Vallée de l'Aumance exhibited at the 1875 Salon. These works illustrate Harpignies' attachment to this landscape, which became one of his favorite motifs, and highlight his ability to combine naturalistic precision with meditative poetry. Expert : Géraldine TAILFER AUGUSTINUS - Cabinet ARTEMISA www.arte-misia.fr