Expert: Jeni Andrews-Fraser - 10/13/2006

Question
The painting (A Morning The Dance of the Nymphs) was painted by Jean-Baptiste Carot around 1850.  I also read somewhere that he operated an art school where he allowed his students to paint copies of his artwork, which he sold to the Public.

I believe that I may have such a copy of his artwork "A Morning The Dance of the Nymphs"

Its was purchased 1982 by a friend of my at an exclusive estate sale in the Queen Ann area of Seattle, Washington.

The auctioneer said the painting (which appears to be a water color) was purchased by the owner while on a business trip, possibly in New York.

He stated the owner had the painting place in a museum in the greater Seattle area(don't have a name)for over 30 years.

Upon his death his widow reclaimed the painting from the museum, and brought it back to the estate.

The auctioneer also stated that the painting was a first original of its kind.

I've opened the back of the painting and on its back it has the markings X001, hand written in  
pencil.

My question is simple, how do I find out more about this piece of art, and what is it worth?

If you wish to contact me by phone, I can be reached at 509-760-4855 or 509-398-0816.

Thank you in advance for your answer(s).

Harvey Schaapman  

Answer
Hello Harvey - and thank you for your question.

If, indeed, you have an original Corot - then hot-foot it to the bank vaults!  

Corot was a leading member of the Barbizon 'school' of painters, a rather bohemian assemblage of artists who operated in a town (Barbizon - from which they take their name) at the edge of the Forest of Fontainbleu, just outside of Paris.  The Barbizon group predates the Impressionists but their techniques are invoked by the (more famous).  The Barbizon School stressed the importance of painting from the motif (so no large, historical/lengendary/mythological paintings - which they saw as 'old fashioned') and painting 'en plein air' - which means painting out of doors.  Much art of the early 19th century was still undertaken in the studio (and many of the subjects reflect this kind of limitation). Corot (and his 'school' of painters - including Charles Daubigny, Theodore Rousseau and Jean-Francois Millet) started a mini-revolution - their paint handling was not the smooth, academic finishes the French Salon was used to, and their subject matter was un-heroic too - they, the Barbizons - painted landscapes and peasants! No wonder thery caused such a stir.  Landscape painting had always been considered at the bottom of the heap as subject matter (with grand, historical oil paintings at the top); watercolour painting as mere 'sketching'; and peasants (as subject matter) unworthy.     

I'm afraid I can't begin to give you a valuation -- for that you need a dealer who specialises in 19th Century French early modernist works.  

I wish you great joy in your discovery.  Perhaps Christie's or Sotheby's (or whatever international auction house near you) would be interested and would be able to provide the provenance for your painting.

Good luck (I'd be interested to know what you find out if you'd care to tell me.)

Jeni