Gustave François Morin (1809-1886) - Le Mousquetaire

Gustave François MORIN (1809-1886) — "The Musketeer" — Pastel and mixed media on paper

This beautiful life-study figure depicts a musketeer dressed in the fashion of the 17th century, during the reign of Louis XIII. The man is captured in motion, in profile, with his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
Gustave François Morin here showcases his mastery of graphic techniques on paper: the use of gouache and chalk provides vibrant touches of color (notably the brilliant green of the doublet and the red of the sleeve) that contrast admirably with the dark, textured tones of the charcoal. The silhouette carries a great nobility and theatricality typical of the historicist movement of the 19th century. The authentic signature of the artist, “G. Morin,” is clearly visible at the bottom right of the composition.

Born in Rouen, Gustave François Morin (1809-1886) was a prominent history painter, illustrator, and sculptor, a major figure of the Norman school in the 19th century. A brilliant pupil of the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris under Gros, he quickly distinguished himself with a taste for historical genre scenes, the troubadour style, and representations of the Louis XIII era. Appointed curator of the Rouen museums and esteemed director of the Rouen Regional School of Drawing, he left his mark on generations of artists. His works, of great technical finesse and rich narrative force, are preserved in prestigious public institutions, notably the Museum of Fine Arts of Rouen, the Versailles Museum, and the Louvre Museum (Department of Graphic Arts).

Lot characteristics:

• Artist: Gustave François Morin (1809-1886)
• Title: The Musketeer
• Technique / Medium: Watercolor with gouache on paper
• Dimensions of the work: 22 x 11 cm
• Dimensions with frame: 34 x 24 cm
• Signature: Signed at the bottom right “G. Morin”
• Condition: The work is presented in its period frame. Note a slight old tear in the lower left corner of the sheet, which does not affect the main subject or the signature, and testifies to the paper’s age.