Gustave WAPPERS (Attributed to) - The Mandolin Player

Gustave WAPPERS (Attributed to)
Antwerp, 1803 – Paris, 1874

Oil on panel
Trace of monogram lower right
42.5 x 31.5 cm (59.5 x 49.5 cm with frame)
19th century frame in carved and gilded wood

The Dutch current precedes the romantic current by drawing inspiration from the old Dutch masters of the 17th century such as Metsu, Cuyp and Vermeer. Thus our painting shows the taste for historical details, in particular a very beautiful musical instrument, a small theorbo or a small mandolin. Added to this are multiple details in the decor, from the partition to the sculpted bed and its canopy, the dress and the jewelry.
After studying at the Academy of Antwerp, Gustave Wappers went to Paris in 1826. In the midst of the Romantic movement, Wappers exhibited "The devotion of the burgomaster of Leyden" which had great success at the Brussels Salon of 1830. Then, in 1832, the city of Antwerp appoints him professor of painting. Then he exhibited at the Antwerp Salon of 1834 his masterpiece "An episode of the Belgian Revolution of 1830" (Brussels Gallery) and he was appointed painter to the King of the Belgians. Finally, on the death of Matthieu van Bree, he was appointed director of the Antwerp Academy.
These most famous works are "Charles I taking leave of his children", "Peter the Great at Saardam" and "Boccaccio at the court of Joan of Naples". Louis Philippe entrusted him with the commission of a large painting for the gallery of Versailles, "The defense of Rhodes by the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem". This work was completed in 1844 when he received the title of baron from the King of the Belgians.
Wappers also produced some genre scenes that went up for auction. For example "A pensive young woman" dated 1831, "The young widow" from 1844 and various interior scenes (A woman reading, A music lesson, A young girl with flowers...)

Ref: WJXBD3UNLS