Knute Heldner
(Swedish/Louisiana, 1877-1952)

"Napoleon House, French Quarter"

oil on canvas
signed lower right, and Sotheby's New York label en verso.
Framed with artist and title plaque.
22-1/4" x 24-1/4", framed 27-1/2" x 29-1/4"

Provenance: Sotheby's, New York, December 17, 1990, lot 286; Private collection, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Notes: Since their initial visit in 1923, Knute Heldner and his wife Colette spent winter months in New Orleans and immersed themselves in the bohemian group of artists, writers and photographers who populated the French Quarter. The creative community was attracted to the French Quarter by the faded charm, historic architecture, cheap rent, and lively street life.
By living and working in the French Quarter, Heldner was personally familiar with the history and daily activities of the residential neighborhood. The Napoleon House was built for New Orleans Mayor Nicholas Girod, who offered his home to Napoleon Bonaparte in 1821 as a place of refuge during his forced exile. In the painting "Napoleon House, New Orleans", Heldner focused on both the historic building and animated street corner filled with residents and a mule-drawn wagon.

Patch en verso corresponds to small repaired tear with inpainting mid right (building/shutter); areas of inpainting upper left (sky and clouds) and mid right building. Frame with surface marks, abrasions and discoloration of linen liner.