French Gouaches at Sotheby's

The upcoming sale of 19th century paintings now on exhibit at Sotheby's in New York has some interesting gouache paintings by French masters.

Jean-Baptiste-Édouard Detaille
(French 1848-1912), General Bonaparte

This portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte and his men by Detaille started out on a buff-toned board, with the figures carefully drawn first in pen and ink.

Jean-Baptiste-Édouard Detaille, 1901 

watercolor, gouache, pen and ink on paper  (29 3/4 by 22 in. 75.6 by 55.9 cm)

This close-up shows the level of detail and delicacy that's possible with gouache.

Eugène Galien-Laloue (French 1854 - 1941) La Gare de l'Estgouache on paper 7½ by 12¼ in.; 19 by 31 cm

Eugène Laloue painted this view of a train station using gouache with a relaxed, sketchy handling. Laloue was one of a group of Parisian boulevard specialists currently being previewed at Sotheby's. 

The show, which also includes works by Bouguereau, Dagnan-Bouveret, Mønsted, Alma Tadema, Montague Dawson, and Sánchez Perrier will be on view today through Thursday.

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Sotheby's 19th century sale, Browse lots