Bidspirit auction | Jules-Eugene Lenepveu (French, 1819-1898) Moses

Jules-Eugene Lenepveu (French, 1819-1898) Moses Rescuing the Daughters of the Priest of Midian, 1859 - Jules-Eugene Lenepveu (French, 1819-1898), Moise secourant les filles du sacrificateur de Madian (Moses Rescuing the Daughters of the Priest of Midian), 1859, oil on canvas. Signed ”Jules Lenepveu” and dated 1859 lower right. Monumental biblical composition depicting Moses defending the daughters of Jethro, priest of Midian, from shepherds at the well, as described in Exodus 2. Exhibited: Paris, Salon of 1859, no. 1939, as Moise secourant les filles du sacrificateur de Madian. Provenance: Formerly in the collection of architect Charles Garnier (1825-1898), friend of the artist from their years at the Villa Medici, according to research conducted by the Musees d'Angers in preparation for the 2022 Lenepveu retrospective. Subsequently from the estate of Louise Lyson Bulgheroni Forster, daughter of Franz Bulgheroni of Monaco; thence by descent through the family. According to family history, the painting was sent from Europe to Louise Lyson Bulgheroni Forster in the United States during World War II for safekeeping from the advancing Nazi occupation. Related Works: The Musees d'Angers preserves two signed preparatory studies of female figures for the composition, both dated 1859 in the museum records, as well as a charcoal preparatory drawing for the complete composition. The museum's documentation had previously recorded the finished painting as unlocated. Literature: The painting was discussed by contemporary critics at the Salon of 1859, including Henri Dumesnil, Henri Delaborde, and Louis Jourdan. It is also referenced in Jules-Eugne Lenepveu, 1819-1898: Peintre du monumental, published in conjunction with the 2022 exhibition at the Musee des Beaux-Arts d'Angers. As framed approximately 51.5H x 90.75W x 4.0D in. (130.8 x 230.5 x 10.2 cm). Sight approximately 40.25H x 79.0W in. (102.2 x 200.7 cm).