Series of Four Studies by Antoine Calbet (circa 1920s)

An exquisite grouping of four drawings available together as one set (circa 1920s). These sketches are studies for larger works planned by the artist and are, considering their age, very well preserved. The sketches encompass several subjects: posing nudes, a cherubic figure, a guitarist and dancing girl, and a seated woman. The works were executed with pencil on art paper at the turn of the 20th century.  Some are detailed and precise; others beautiful as well but more abstruse. A small slice of history by a known artist and framed for your home or work space. In good vintage condition. One of the works in the set is initialed: 'A.C.' Newly framed and glazed. Antoine Calbet's work has been offered at auction multiple times, with realised prices ranging up to $12,430 USD, depending on the size and medium of the artwork. 

About the Artist:  Antoine Calbet (1860 - 1944) was a pupil of Alexandre Cabanel and Emile-François Michel, and also studied with the genre painter Edouard Antoine Marsal. He made his public exhibition debut at the Salon de la Société des Artistes Français in 1880, and continued to take part in the Paris Salons until 1940. A gifted water-colourist as well as a portrait and genre painter, Calbet had a particular penchant for studies of languid female nudes. He also worked as a decorative painter, counting among his public commissions the decoration of several theatres. Antoine Calbet is perhaps known today, however, for his book illustrations. Among the works illustrated by Calbet were editions of Emile Zola’s Madame Neigeon, Guy de Maupaussant’s Bel ami, Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Confessions and Paul Verlaine’s Fêtes galantes. He also provided illustrations for magazine short stories, such as Henri de Régnier’s Le veuvage de Shéhérazade, published in the Christmas 1925 issue of L’Illustration. An exhibition of Calbet’s drawings and watercolours was held at the Galerie Georges Petit in Paris in 1909, and another at the Galerie Graat in Paris in 1932 (ref: www.stephenongpin.com). 

Dimensions of posing nudes with frame:

H 41 cm / 16.1"

W 31 cm / 12.2"

Dimensions of posing nudes without frame:

H 28 cm / 11.0"

W 19 cm / 7.5"

Dimensions of cherubic figure with frame:

H 41 cm / 16.1"

W 31 cm / 12.2"

Dimensions of cherubic figure without frame:

H 28 cm / 11.0"

W 19 cm / 7.5"

Dimensions of guitarist with frame:

H 34.5 cm / 13.6" 

W 32 cm / 12.6"

Dimensions of guitarist without frame:

H 21.8 cm / 8.6" 

W 20 cm / 7.9" 

Dimensions of seated woman with frame:

H 33 cm / 13.0"

W 29 cm / 11.4"                            

Dimensions of seated woman without frame:

H 20 cm / 7.9" 

W 16.5 cm / 6.5"