Fine 1800-1899 French Symbolist Oil Painting Portrait of Mythological Queen

The Queen by Diogène Ulysse Napoléon Maillart (French, 1840 – 1926) *see notes below oil painting on canvas, framed canvas: 42 x 30 inches framed: 45 x 33 inches condition: overall very good, well presented and ready to hang provenance: private collection, France Immerse yourself in the exquisite detail and refined elegance of this captivating oil painting by esteemed French artist Diogène Ulysse Napoléon Maillart. Known for his ability to infuse his subjects with a sense of grace and realism, Maillart’s work reflects the refined artistry of 19th and early 20th-century French painting. This beautifully framed piece, measuring 42 x 30 inches on canvas and 45 x 33 inches with its ornate frame, showcases Maillart’s masterful use of color and light. The scene, rendered with meticulous attention to detail, invites viewers to explore the depth and emotion captured in each brushstroke. The painting’s provenance from a private collection in France adds to its allure, offering a glimpse into the rich history and appreciation of fine art. Presented in overall very good condition and ready to hang, this artwork is a testament to Maillart’s enduring legacy and the timeless appeal of his creations. Whether displayed in a private residence, a gallery, or a public space, this painting is sure to captivate and inspire. Its blend of technical skill and emotional depth makes it a valuable addition to any collection of fine art. Diogène Ulysse Napoléon Maillart (28 October 1840 – 3 August 1926) was a French painter, illustrator, designer, teacher and art critic. He was born into a modest family of small farmers in Lachaussée-du-Bois-d’Écu. His first art lessons were at the “Imperial School of Design” (a government-sponsored craft school). Later, he studied at the École des Beaux-arts in the workshop of Léon Cogniet. He won the Prix de Rome in 1864, aged only twenty-three. After returning from Rome in 1869, he was appointed a Professor of drawing at the Gobelins Manufactory, a position he occupied for fifty years. From 1873 to 1877, he was the Inspector of art works. He exhibited in the Salon every year until his death in 1926 in Paris. After the founding of the Third Republic, he was involved in the decoration of several public buildings, including murals for Saint-Augustin Church (which had been started during the Second Empire), ceiling and staircase decorations for the Town Hall in the 3rd arrondissement and ornaments in the Bon Marché (now gone).[ At the request of Prince Von Donnersmarck and his wife (known as “La Païva”), Maillart decorated the ceiling of Schloss Neudeck [de] in Upper Silesia. The building was burned by the Red Army in 1945 and the ruins were demolished in 1961. A series of murals he created for the City Hall in Beauvais also fared poorly; being destroyed by German bombs in 1940. In addition to his painting, he was also a prolific author, writing a work on Byzantine art and a general history of the fine arts, in two volumes (among others). He became a knight in the Légion d’honneur in 1885. His grave in the Cimetière du Montparnasse is adorned with a bust sculpted by Henri-Léon Gréber.