Lot 220: L'audience

Gaston de Latouche (French, 1854-1913) L'audience signed and inscribed 'Gaston la Touche/C.D' (lower left) oil on panel 25½ x 21 in. (64.8 x 53.4 cm.)

Venice, Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte della Città di Venezia, 1912, no. 564.

with Georges Petit, Paris

Gaston de Latouche's humorous work caricatures the relationship between the bourgeoisie and the aristocracy. In the present work he renders the supplicant as a monkey, ready to prostate himself before his so-called superiors in an audience. The ape-like gentleman is short and stooped, glancing up at the smartly dressed usher as he opens the door to a light-filled room. We are given clues as to the purpose of the visit - the gentleman carries rolled-up petitions or architectural plans in his arms - but we are separated from the aristocracy and cannot see further into the next room. The uniform of the usher and the grand, golden hued decoration of the house contrast with the drab clothing of the petitioner, whose coat swamps his small figure, allowing only his feet and tail to show.

The present work echoes the social caricatures of Honoré Daumier, who ridiculed the bourgeoisie and exaggerated his victims' features to comic and grotesque effect. It is executed with de Latouche's characteristically fluid brushstrokes and warm palette.