Linda GOLDMANN
CHARLES-THÉODORE FRÈRE (1814-1888) AND THE ORIENTALIST PAINTERS OF THE 19TH AND 20TH CENTURIES

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Théodore FRÈRE (1814-1888) École française Passage d'une caravane le long du Nil Huile sur panneau, signée "TH. FRÈRE" en bas à droite 27 x 41,5 cm
Charles-Théodore Frère, known as Frère Bey (Paris 1814-1888) Passage of a Caravan Along the Nile, Oil on panel, 27x41.5cm, signed "TH. FRÈRE" lower right, Private collection © Archives Galerie Nataf, Paris

Linda Goldmann, expert in Orientalist painters It is thanks to the work of the great artist Charles-Théodore Frère (Paris 1814-1888), known as Frère Bey, that Linda Goldmann chose to develop her expertise in Orientalist painting. Théodore Frère, undoubtedly one of the finest painters of the Orient in the 19th century, left numerous paintings from his travels and life in the East. The romantic poet Théophile Gautier, also a great traveler, cited in his Salon reviews Théodore Frère's long familiarity with Egypt, where he had his main studio, this country "of gold, silver, and azure" that captivated traveling painters. For approximately 40 years, Linda Goldmann has been working on Frère Bey and all these traveling painters who, dreamers and lovers of the Orient, also imagined and fantasized about it. The Orient inspired many French personalities in the 19th century, notably writers such as Pierre Loti and Théophile Gautier, musicians like Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, and of course painters, extending into the 20th century. Unlike their predecessors who often returned to Europe, 20th-century painters often settled permanently in the Arab world, such as Étienne Dinet, Jacques Majorelle, and Henry Pontoy. The research of expert Linda Goldmann is based on her knowledge of the work of these many painters, complemented, of course, by the history and provenance of the works among collectors, and how they came into their possession. As an expert, she does not allow herself to be swayed by emotion, and always focuses on the objective qualities of a work to produce the most accurate analysis.   The artist Charles-Théodore Frère, the object of her particular attention and study Charles-Théodore Frère belongs to the first generation of Orientalist painters. A traveling painter, his steps led him to the Orient at a very young age, after having crisscrossed France. He discovered Algeria in 1836 and painted scenes of cafes in Algiers, as well as the lush Mitidja plain, which reminded him of Normandy. However, it was from the second half of the 19th century that he began his travels throughout the Middle East. He visited Egypt, Syria, Turkey, and even Jerusalem, considered the dirtiest and most unsanitary city in the region. He remained fascinated by the desert, the dusty light of the cities, and the Egyptian sunsets. In 1869, he accompanied Empress Eugénie's expedition for the opening of the Suez Canal. This was an opportunity for him to meet other traveling painters such as Narcisse Berchère, Charles de Tournemine, and the very famous Jean-Léon Gérôme. Théodore Frère, like Jean-Léon Gérôme, had his studio in Cairo. Théodore Frère became the official painter to the Sultan's court. He even received the title of Bey and signed his works "Th. Frère Bey" from then on.

Contact

Linda GOLDMANN
LG EXPERTISE 104 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré 75008 Paris +33 (0) 1 42 65 02 88 +33 (0) 6 87 24 59 33 lindagoldmann@gmail.com https://galerienataf.com

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UFE Linda GOLDMANN