Lot 207: George Louis Viavant (American/New Orleans, 1872)

George Louis Viavant (American/New Orleans, 1872-1924), "Nature Morte: Squirrel", 1913, watercolor, signed, dated and inscribed "N.O." lower left, sight 19 1/2 in. x 11 1/2 in., in a period wood frame Provenance: Descended in the family of Mrs. Joseph Airey, 555 Audubon Street, New Orleans. Note: Interestingly, both this George Louis Viavant and the Achille Perelli nature morte of a squirrel descended in the same local estate collection. When Viavant was 12 years old he began to study under Perelli at the Southern Art Union in 1884. These two artists were the most acclaimed for their skill in depicting the game of Louisiana in the nature morte style.