(French, 1827–1906)

Fillette, Study for La Plantation du Calvaire, signed lower right "J. Breton", oil on canvas, 12-5/8 x 8-5/8 in. (30.48 x 20.32 cm.); gilt wood and composition frame, 18-7/8 x 14-3/4 x 2-1/2 in. 

Provenance: Collection of the artist; His Studio sale, Galerie Georges Petit, Paris, 2-3 June 1911, lot 51; Acquired by M. Dru, (620 Francs); Estate of L. Raymond Billet, Chicago, Illinois; by descent in family

Note: "Looking closely at the overall study of Salon La Plantation d'un calvaire, the silhouette of a young girl appears behind the young woman who is holding the hand of a little girl. She is in white, holding a piece of blue fabric on her bent arm. The attitude of the face in profile, raised towards the sky as well as the long hair decorated either with a net or with small discreet flowers, seems to be linked to that of the painting of this little girl. Curiously, this white silhouette of a young girl disappears in the final painting of the Salon La Plantation d'un calvaire, which could suggest that either she is shown with a different headdress and clothes or Jules Breton chose to make an independent painting, hence this study of the little girl."  -Annette Bourrut Lacouture

Brunk Auctions would like Mrs. Annette Bourrut Lacouture, Marie-Isabelle Pinet, and Agnès Penot for kindly confirming the authenticity of this painting from a photograph. It will be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné of the painter's work.

Literature: Catalogue des tableaux, pastels et dessins par Jules Breton composant son atelier, Paris, Galerie Georges Petit, 2-3 June 1911, p.31

old tape to front edge, paint abraded, some small points of retouch, surface dirt, canvas slightly slack; frame with wear commensurate with age