Author: Mark Shapiro

 

Photo courtesy of Drouot Auction House, Paris

Manet painted a family pet and gifted it to Marguerite Lathuille, whose family treasured the artwork for 140 years.

The painting by Edouard Manet of a pet dog named “Mannay” will be sold through a Parisian Auction house in February. The work of art has been in the Lathuille family for 140 years. They’ve rejected all prior attempts to place it on the market for sale. 

In 1879, Marguerite Lathuille, the daughter of a Parisian innkeeper sat for her Manet portrait, and as a gift, the French modernist painter created a quick painting of her pet dog.  The painting, measuring 12.6 x 9.6 inches, is said to have been created in 20 minutes and is an example of the technical ability of Manet, said art expert Fredrick Chanoit.

“It’s not one of his masterpieces. That said, it is a wonderful symphony of tufts and touches demonstrating his pure genius,” It is different from his classic works. It demonstrates his technical skill as a painter. This little dog looks like a ball of fur, full of movement and extraordinary living eyes.” said Chanoit.

The painting has been cataloged but never publicly exhibited. “Records indicate in the 1920s an art dealer wrote to Marguerite begging to buy it from her but she refused. The artwork was passed directly to her children.” Chanoit said.

The Story 

Young  Marguerite Lathuille owned a small dog named Mannay.  Her pup was a Brussels Griffon.  The painting of the little dog is an oil on canvas.  Records indicate the portrait is one of eight dog paintings. All were created by Edouard Manet between 1875 and 1883. 

Marguerite’s father was Gauthier Lathuille, the owner of a cabaret and restaurant that featured other Manet paintings, including the well-known artwork Chez le Père Lathuille. Gauthier himself is in the background. The portrait of Marguerite hangs in the Lyon Museum.   

According to the Drouot, “This portrait is owned by the Lathuille family for over 140 years”. The auction will take place on February 26, 2021, at Drouot Paris.  The auction estimates are in the $380,000. – $400,000. range. 

Learn more about Edouard Manet and the painting on the auction block at Drouot Auctions, Paris

Check out more of our new ArtSpeak Series here. 

 

Courtesy of Christian Chevez/ AP

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