Oil on canvas, 1880s. Signed p.g.: J. Saint - Germier
Unread inscription above the signature. Dimensions: 46 x 32 cm, 53 x 39.5 cm (with frame)
A similar portrait of Saint Germier is in the collection of the Museum des Beaux-Arts de Quimper, France.
Technical condition: good, two patches on the reverse.
Joseph Saint-Germier, was born in 1860 in Toulouse, France and died in 1925. He was an academic painter who gained recognition for his decorative paintings. Saint-Germier began his art education in his hometown and later studied in Paris under well-known painters such as Galland, Cabanel and Bonnat. His work consisted mainly of oil paintings and was exhibited at the Salon of French Artists from 1882 to 1924.
Saint Germier is known for his works, which often included rich decorative details, as well as genre scenes from various parts of the world, including Venice and Tunis. His paintings were praised for their masterful use of color and light, making them desirable to collectors and museums. His works fetched significant prices at auctions, a testament to the recognition he enjoyed on the art market.
Although Saint Germier's biography is not widely documented, his legacy as an academic artist remains alive through his influential and aesthetically significant works, which continue to be appreciated by art connoisseurs around the world (Muzéo) (AskART).
Sarah Bernhardt, born Henriette-Rosine Bernard (1844-1923), was one of the most prominent French theater actresses of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, also known as "Divine Sarah." She was born in Paris as the illegitimate daughter of a Dutch courtesan and was raised first in a boarding house and later in a convent. Despite early difficulties, she decided to pursue an acting career instead of the monastic life when one of her mother's lovers, the Prince de Morny, made it possible for her to study at the Paris Conservatory (Wikipedia) (Encyclopedia Britannica).
Bernhardt gained fame for her work at the Comédie-Française and later at the Théâtre de l'Odéon and other Parisian theaters. She was known for performing both classical and modern roles, including her interpretations of Racine's Phèdre and the title roles in Sardou's "Fedora" and "La Tosca." Her career included numerous international tours, during which she visited the United States, the United Kingdom, South America and Australia, among others (Encyclopedia.com).
Bernhardt was also a pioneer in the field of silent film and a well-known figure among avant-garde artists of the time, collaborating with Alphonse Mucha, among others. Her personal life was as colorful as her career; she was known for her numerous romances, including those with Victor Hugo and the Prince of Wales, as well as her eccentric lifestyle, which included breeding exotic animals. Despite having her leg amputated in 1915, she continued performing until her death in 1923 (Home).
Bernhardt died in Paris and was buried in Père Lachaise Cemetery, leaving an indelible mark on theater history. Her autobiography, "Ma Double Vie," published in 1907, provides a glimpse into her life full of drama both on and off the stage (Encyclopedia.com).
