203 - Lionel Péraux (1871–1930)

Lionel Péraux (1871–1930) Bonaparte and Josephine in the Gardens of Malmaison. Watercolor on paper (before 1907). Framed. H. 23.5 x W. 35 cm. Frame: H. 41 x W. 52.5 cm. Biography Born in Nantes in 1874, Lionel Péraux enrolled at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he studied under Jules-Élie Delaunay (1828–1891) and Gustave Moreau (1826–1898). He participated in major international exhibitions, notably the 1890 International Exhibition of Black and White and the 1900 World’s Fair. An independent and original spirit, he nevertheless turned his back on the official Salons in favor of a more modern approach: exhibiting in galleries or in his own studio on Avenue Malakoff. An artist of international renown, his work was featured at the Léon Marchand Gallery in Paris, the Knoedler Gallery in New York, and in numerous exhibitions in London. He distinguished himself above all through his watercolors, which his contemporaries praised in these terms: “His compositions, which reveal a highly personal style, a meticulous study of the period depicted, and a genuine finesse and overall harmony, place him among the finest painters of women and elegance of all time. Whether Mr. Lionel Péraux attempts to depict figures from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the 17th century, or even the present day, he always does so as a delicate artist, a scholar, and a connoisseur, whose interpretation further enriches the historical research. ” The charm of his subjects and the quality of his watercolors have earned them considerable success, and they are widely distributed in the form of facsimiles and photogravures. Péraux also worked as an illustrator for several publishing houses, notably creating plates for Marivaux’s *Le Jeu de l’amour et du hasard* and *Souvenirs de Madame de Caylus*. His favorite subjects are drawn from French history, though he focuses particularly on moments of intimacy, much like artists such as Hector Viger, known as Victor Viger du Vigneau (1819–1879). This work, characteristic of that approach, elegantly and romantically depicts an intimate scene between the young General Bonaparte and his wife Joséphine in the gardens of Malmaison. Related Work Lionel Péraux, Bonaparte and Joséphine in the Gardens of Malmaison, before 1907, photogravure, Musée de la Pagerie, Inv. 2020.0.1272. Literature - ÉDOUARD-JOSEPH René, Biographical Dictionary of Contemporary Artists, 1910–1930, 3 vols., vol. III, Art & Édition, Paris, 1934. - CURINIER, C.-E. (ed.), *National Dictionary of Contemporaries*, vol. V, Office général d’édition de librairie et d’imprimerie, Paris, 1914.