Nathalie Comte (American, 1874-1940, active New Orleans, 1924-1937) , "First Portrait of Huey P. Long", 1926/1936, oil on canvas, signed and dated "1936" lower left, signed, titled and dated "1926" en verso, "The Farish Art Store, New Orleans" label on stretcher, 26 in. x 22 1/4 in., framed. Note: Little is known about artist Nathalie M. Comte aside from what can be gleaned from the 1924 New Orleans Directory that lists her as a “decorative artist” and a short article and advertisement in The Times-Picayune dated 1932. Comte was born in Frieberg, Switzerland in 1874 or 1875 and came to the United States through Ellis Island in 1896, eventually settling in Louisiana in 1911. In 1932, The Times-Picayune lists a “New Studio in Town” for “Madame Comte” at 718 Orleans Street while mentioning that her paintings have been exhibited in Chicago and “a few more are to be shown at the World’s Fair next year,” referring to the “Century of Progress” themed World’s Fair held in Chicago in 1933. Comte painted the likenesses of several important Louisiana public figures such as Mayor Robert Maestri, Justice Harney Felix Bruno and Tulane Professor Hal. W. Mosely. The most famous of her sitters was the iconic and controversial Governor Huey P. Long. In the lot presented here, the dates 1926 en verso and 1936 en recto suggest that Comte—who likely painted the painting from life in 1926 and inscribed it as her “first portrait” of Long—possibly revisited it after this 1935 assassination. She then painted a similar, later portrait of Long dated 1937. Currently in the collection of the Louisiana State Museum, said portrait shows the state capitol built in 1930 in the background and Long holding a sketch of the bridge that bears his name in Jefferson Parish which opened in 1935. Comte died in 1940 in Chicago leaving few details about her remarkable work as a sought-after female artist in New Orleans painting some of the most influential men of the era.Ref.: “First Portrait of Huey P. Long”. Huey Long Portrait. www.hueylongportrait.com. Accessed Oct. 25, 2022. “Up and Down the Street”. The Times-Picayune. Nov. 15, 1932.

If Condition is NOT stated in the description of the lot, the absence of a condition report does not indicate the lot is free of damage or condition issues. Available Condition Reports will appear as an additional image. Condition Reports and photographs may be requested on items until the Wednesday prior to the auction. Bid accordingly. All sales are final, no returns are accepted on the basis of condition.