Lovers By Candlelight by Philippe Mercier, Oil on Canvas, Old Master Item Status:
View Similar Items
- Want more images or videos?Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8
Philippe MercierLovers By Candlelight by Philippe Mercier, Oil on Canvas, Old Master
US$36,507.15Asking Price
About
PHILIPPE MERCIER (1689-1760)
LOVERS BY CANDLELIGHT
INTRODUCTION:
From princely portraits to everyday life scenes in
the art of Philippe Mercier.
Both in his life and artworks, Philippe Mercier (1689– 1760) reflects many of the dramatic cultural and political events that occurred in early 18th century Europe. Behind his elegantly light and vibrating style of painting was a career of success, scandals, travels and artistic creativity that gives us insight into the changing roles of art during the enlightenment period. With its peaceful yet intriguing atmosphere, Lovers by Candlelight is a prominent example of how a charming domestic scene reveal stories far beyond the tranquility of its subject matter.
Born in Berlin by French parents that likely fled France after the expulsion of the Huguenots in 1685, he studied under fellow French artist Antoine Pesne and continued his education with extensive travels in Italy and France. After settling in England in 1716 he became a favorite of Frederick, Prince of Wales, famous for his patronage of art and culture. The appreciation of Mercier was expressed in several high-ranking titles at the princely court such as Principal Painter to the Prince, Gentleman Page of the Bedchamber and Library Keeper. After a series of jealous incidents and intrigues with his rivals at the court, Mercier fell out of favor in the 1730s and his royal association came to an end in what has been described in scandalous circumstances. However, this did not end his career. Instead he later abandoned royal portraiture and re-established himself in the genre of fancy pictures – motifs of domestic scenes and people engaged in everyday life situations. Eventually, Mercier found new patrons and a large audience both with his new style of painting and numerous reproductions made with mezzotint engravings. After a brief stay in Portugal, Mercier died in London in 1760 and he remains one of the most intriguing artists of the emerging Rococo movement in England.
Lovers by Candlelight likely dates from the later period of Mercier’s career and is a typical example of the kind of genre painting, also known as petit genre, that depicts kitchen maids, family members or everyday life situations. It contrasts the grand genre of history painting and became popular collectibles for the growing bourgeoise and middle classes who appreciated this art that was free from heavy moral or intellectual content. Mercier's version of this style waw influenced by contemporary French genre painters such as Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin (1699–1779), with its typically calm intimacy and cheery mood.
The girl, wearing a bonnet with lace and a simple, striped dress, has fallen asleep in the midst of work by her sewing basket. The boy, dressed in a reddish-brown coat and with brown slightly disheveled wavy hair, takes the opportunity to come close to her, perhaps lovingly intending to either surprise her or lift her up to her bed. The shining brass candleholder, the scissor, the reflection in the tabletop and the gradually intensifying light in their skin tones and clothing all build up a sense of anticipation and spontaneity.
It is bewildering to think that Lovers by Candlelight is by the hand of an artist that was previously known for painting in the grand style of royal portraiture. The faint light in the midst of evening darkness, the intimate interaction between the unassuming girl and the tenderly curious boy and complete lack of any glamorous or fanciful elements that were to so typical for his earlier production indicates an artist with a changed perspective – and perhaps even a deepened insight. Overall, the scene shows that seemingly innocent domestic scenes are in fact traces of a new sensitivity and interest in the intimate, the personal and the private. Despite the slightly idealized faces and neat composition, this painting is far from a onenote sentimental scene. Instead, it reflects a heightened presence into portraying human interaction that still, after more than two hundred and fifty years, enables us to connect with the eye and experience of the 18th century.
GENERAL LITERATURE:
Waterhouse, Sir Ellis. "English Painting and France in the Eighteenth Century." Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes 15 (1952): 127-128.
Raines, Robert and John Ingamells. Philip Mercier 1689-1760.
Exh. cat. City Art Gallery, York; Iveagh Bequest, Kenwood,
London. London, 1969.
Ingamells, John and Robert Raines.
"A Catalogue of the Paintings, Drawings and Etchings of Philip Mercier."
Walpole Society 46 (1978): 1-70.
Hayes, John. British Paintings of the Sixteenth through Nineteenth Centuries.
The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue.
Washington, D.C., 1992: 168-169.
oil on canvas
canvas size: 30⅛ x 23¼ in (76 x 64 cm)
frame: 34.25 x 29.52 inches (87 x 75 cm)
PROVENANCE:
Cary Charles Collection, London (Possibly);
Mr. Langford and Son, Auction BR-A744, Lot 3,
Phillipe Mercier - A boy and girl by candlelight,
12-13 Mar 1766 (Possibly);
Owned by the same family for more than
70 years and then sold at Sothebys
Old Master Day Sale L19037, Lot 184.
COMPARATIVE PAINTING:
Christie's, 2006.
A YOUNG GIRL READING BY CANDLELIGHT
76.8 x 64 cm, Sold for: 120.000 USD
Details
- CreatorPhilippe Mercier (1689 - 1760)
- DimensionsHeight: 29.93 in. (76 cm)Width: 25.2 in. (64 cm)
- Medium
- Movement & Style
- Period
- Conditionoverall good condition, some retouches and old varnish.
- Gallery LocationStockholm, SE
- Reference NumberSeller: CA20241stDibs: LU144527112972
Shipping & Returns
- ShippingUS$674.92 Standard Parcel Shippingto anywhere in the world, arrives in 1-2 weeks. We recommend this shipping type based on item size, type and fragility.Estimated Customs Duties & Taxes to the Continental US: $0.Ships From: Stockholm, Sweden
- Return Policy
A return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
1stDibs Buyer Protection Guaranteed
If your item arrives not as described, we’ll work with you and the seller to make it right. Learn more
About the SellerNew to 1stDibsLocated in Stockholm, Sweden
Joined in the past six months.
5 / 5
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 2020
1stDibs seller since 2020
13 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
More From This Seller
- Located in Stockholm, SEEGERT VAN HEEMSKERCK THE ELDER (CIRCLE OF)(1634–1704) BOORS IN A TAVERN oil on canvas panel size: 24.80 x 29....Category
17th Century Old Masters Interior Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- Located in Stockholm, SEFrans van Mieris the Younger (circle of) Scholar Sharpening His Quill Penn oil on oak panel (18th century) sig...Category
Early 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
MaterialsOak, Oil, Panel
US$17,057 Sale Price20% Off - Located in Stockholm, SEEgbert I Van Heemskerck - The Card Players signed E. HK oil on panel panel size: 6.49 x 5.51 inches (16.5 x 14...Category
17th Century Old Masters Interior Paintings
MaterialsOak, Oil, Panel
- Located in Stockholm, SEFRANS FRANCKEN II (FOLLOWER OF) THE ADULTEROUS WOMAN oil on panel panel size: 23.62 x 32.67 inches (60 x 83 cm...Category
17th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
MaterialsOak, Oil, Panel
- Located in Stockholm, SEContinental School from the 17th Century. Portrait of a Man 76 x 63 cm (29.92 x 24.08 inch) With frame 95 x 8...Category
17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- Located in Stockholm, SEGenoese School, possibly Giovanni Andrea De Ferrari 1598-1669 (Genoa) A Holy Monstrance Surrounded by Putti We...Category
1620s Old Masters Figurative Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
You May Also Like
English 18th century Portrait of a Lady seated in a Library with a book
By Thomas Beach
Located in Bath, GB
Portrait of Mrs Maria Anne Penruddocke, three-quarter length, in a white dress with blue sash, holding a book seated on a green damask covered sofa in a library. Signed, dated and in...
Category
Late 18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
English 18th Century Portrait of Giles Moore
Located in Bath, GB
Portrait of Giles Moore by Christopher Steele (1733-1767), three-quarter length, standing beside a table in an interior, wearing a grey silk jacket with blue and silver brocade waist...
Category
18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Portrait of Anne, Duchess of Cumberland and Strathearn
By Sir William Beechey
Located in Bath, GB
Portrait of Anne, Duchess of Cumberland and Strathearn (1743-1808) by Sir William Beechey RA (1753-1839), three-quarter length, seated on a classical terrace in a white gown.
Oil o...
Category
Late 18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Mrs Mary Milnes Gaskell - Old Master oil portrait easel Scottish female artist
By Christina Robertson
Located in London, GB
A beautiful Old Master portrait oil painting by Christina Robertson who was a famous Scottish female portrait artist to the British and more notably the Russian aristocracy. This ver...
Category
1830s Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Painting 19th Century Romantic Courtiers Genre Scene
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Courtiers Party in the Park in 18th Century
In the Taste of Nicolas Lancret (1690-1743)
Oil on canvas
Frame gilded with leaves
Dim canvas : 73 X 59 cm
Dim frame : 100 X 87 cm
Category
1850s Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Painting 19th century old master rural daily life
By Henri-Joseph Castaing
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
CASTAING Henri Joseph (1860-1918)
Young girl at the source
Oil on canvas signed low left
Frame gilded with gold leaves
Dim canvas : 100 X 66 cm
Dim frame : 121 X 86 cm
CASTAING Henr...
Category
1890s Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Portrait of Sarah Wagstaff Playing Piano - Scottish 18th century oil painting
Located in London, GB
This superb late 18th century portrait oil painting is attributed to noted Scottish Old Master artist Alexander Nasmyth. Painted circa 1780 the sitter is a young woman, Sarah Wagstaf...
Category
18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
19th Century Painting Interior and Genre Scene
By Jean Alexandre Rémy Couder
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
COUDER Alexandre Jean Rémy (1808-1879)
Reading on the sofa
Oil on canvas signed low left
Old original frame gilded with leaves
Dim canvas : 47 X 39 cm
Dim frame : 70 X 61 cm
Ce...
Category
1860s Old Masters Interior Paintings
Materials
Oil
The 1stDibs Promise
Learn MoreExpertly Vetted Sellers
Confidence at Checkout
Price-Match Guarantee
Exceptional Support
Buyer Protection
Insured Global Delivery