(Saint-Cloud 1854–1913 Paris)
The Three Graces, signed, inscribed Gaston La Touche. G.D, oil on canvas, 95 x 98 cm, framed,(GG)

We are grateful to Selina Baring Maclennan for confirming the authenticity of the work on the basis of a photo. The present work will be included in the catalogue raisonné of Gaston La Touche currently in preparation by Selina Baring Maclennan and Roy Brindley.

His artistic talent became clear in early childhood. In 1875, following thirteen unsuccessful attempts, he finally exhibited at the Paris Salon.
He came under the influence of the two painters Edouard Manet (1832-1883) and Félix Bracquemond (1833-1914) who persuaded him to abandon his somber palette in favour of a more luminous and colourful rendering. He evolved from realism to idealism, depicting a charming world with gardens, nymphs and fountains as in the present lot. The present composition is reminiscent of his beloved park at Versailles. The sculpted vase in the foreground is most probably one of the vases which is set in the Allée des Marmousets at Versailles.

The present lot, inscribed with the initials G.D. for ‘Gros Douet’, was executed at the artist’s summer residence. Gros Douet or Gros-Doibt is the name of a property which belonged to his father’s side of the family and is located in the village of Champsecret in the Orne region, lower Normandy.
Gaston La Touche was born in Saint-Cloud near Paris in 1854.

additional picture:
Photo of the Artist