Numa-François Gillet (1868-1940) - Symbolist Painting of Ladies by a Fountain

Artist: Numa Francois Gillet (1868-1940)

Ladies by a Fountain

Medium: Oil on canvas

Date: Circa 1920-1930

Provenance: signed top right; from a private London collection.

Overall measurements with the frame are 82 cm x 64 cm x 7 cm, and the painting measures 72 cm x 53 cm.

Biography:

Numa François Gillet was a French painter associated with the Symbolist movement. He was a student at the École des Beaux-arts de Paris where he trained with William-Adolphe Bouguereau. Gillet was influenced by the British Pre-Raphaelite movement as well as the French Symbolist painter Armand Point, with whom he was close friends. He was a member of the Salon des Artistes Français, where he exhibited hors concours and was made a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur. Gillet's work is highly sought after but rarely comes to market. Works by the artist are known to be of significant interest to collectors of Symbolist art.

description:

The present painting is a fine example of the artist's work. It shows two women in classical dress in the background, while in the foreground another figure, most likely a nymph, plays a flute while sitting on the edge of the fountain. The ethereal character of the work attests to Gillet's talent for creating atmospheric and beautifully poetic works of art.

Label on reverse reads: 'GILLET (Numa-François), painter, born in Bordeaux (Gironde) in 1868 (Ec. Fr.).
Out of competition at the French Artists, knight of the Legion of Honor. His paintings have a lyrical, fantastical character, dealing with literary subjects. PRICE. PARIS. Vte X..., January 28, 1924: Ancient Festival: 190 francs.

GILLET (Numa-François), painter, born in Bordeaux (Gironde) in 1868 (Ec. Fr.). Out of competition for French Artists, knight of the Legion of Honor. His paintings have a lyrical, fantastic character, dealing with literary subjects. PRICE. PARIS. Vte X..., January 28, 1924: Ancient festival: 190 francs.

There is an extensive auction history for Numa François Gillet. The auction record for Numa François Gillet currently stands at €6,000, achieved in 2025 at Artcurial Paris for a painting from the collection of renowned Symbolist art collector Gérard Lévy. We believe this is a fair indication of the artist's current status in terms of collectability.

Numa François Gillet
Lot 55: Numa François GILLET
Est: €1,500 EUR - €2,000 EUR
Sold: €6,000 EUR
Artcurial
Paris, France
February 11, 2025

Numa François Gillet
Lot 53: Numa-François GILLET
Est: €2,000 EUR - €3,000 EUR
Sold: €3,500 EUR
Artcurial
Paris, France
February 11, 2025

Gillet's work is held in numerous collections including Sheffield Museums, the Castle-Museum of Nemours, and the Autun Museum.

Condition report: In predominantly original condition, the painting has been professionally cleaned recently and has some older and more recent repairs to the verso, which are inconspicuous without very close inspection under magnification from the front. The painting is in very good tension and has excellent tonality. There are no protrusions from the repairs, and in our opinion, the painting is in ready-to-hang condition. There are some areas of faint craquelure consistent with its antiquity, and the few areas of retouching are very well blended.