ALIX-LOUISE ÉNAULT (French 1850-1909) A PAINTING, "First Mourning," CIRCA 1891, oil on canvas, signed U/L, "Alix Énault;" 23 3/4" x 14 3/4", framed 30 1/2" x 21 1/4". Note: Featured cover art for French magazine La Famille published July 26, 1891, no. 616.A pupil of Jean-Baptiste-Ange Tissier (French 1814-1876)When considering works by the artist, Madame Alix-Louis Enault, her most well received painting Fleurs de Serre is listed in Women Painters of the World: From the Time of Caterina Virgi (1413-1463) to Rosa Bonheur and the Present Day, edited by Walter Shaw Sparrow, published June 1904, plate 225. The turn of the century book lists Madam Alix-Louise Enault in the same breath with other "great female artists", including Artemisia Gentileschi, Mary Cassatt, Angelica Kauffman, R.A., Madame Vigée Le Brun, and Berthe Morisot among many other lady artists. Fleurs de Serre is widely accepted in the 21st century to be a self portrait of the artist. When compared to the present painting, First Mourning, the similarity of the sitters is remarkable. The solemn, woeful, silent questioning contributes to the psychological examination of mourning and reflect the realities of Victorian era feminine existence.

Lined canvas, minor paint loss lower left, stable. Simpson Galleries strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Simpson Galleries regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Simpson Galleries. All lots offered are sold "AS IS.”