Horace Vernet (F1789-1863) - I. 'La poste au desert'; II. 'L'Arabe en Prière'
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€ 3,200
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Selected by Caterina Maffeis
Master in early Renaissance Italian painting with internship at Sotheby’s and 15 years' experience.
Estimate € 125,000 - € 145,000
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I. La poste au désert; II. L'Arabe en Prière, two 19th‑century oil paintings by Horace Vernet (France), oil on canvas, sold with the frame, 78 × 68 cm including frame.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Horace Vernet (French, 1789–1863)
I. The post in the desert; II. The Arab in prayer
I. signed ‘H Vernet’ (bottom left); II. signed and dated ‘H Vernet 1842’ (bottom right)
Both oil paintings on canvas.
Dimensions: 55.5 × 46 cm (2)
Dimensions with frame: 78 x 68 cm (2)
Origin
– Rex Ingram Collection, Hollywood.
I. Veiling, Sotheby Parke Bernet, Los Angeles, March 12, 1979, lot 56, as: The Post in the Desert.
– I. Veiling, Cornette de Saint-Cyr, Paris, April 29, 1983, lot 50.
Horace Vernet (1789–1863), born in the Louvre as a member of a famous artist family, naturally grew into an exceptional painter. Although he missed out on the Prix de Rome, he was supported early on by influential patrons, including the Bonaparte family and later the duc d’Orléans. With his clear storytelling and eye for detail, he quickly gained great fame, especially for his contemporary military and historical scenes.
In 1829, Vernet became the director of the French Academy in Rome, where he broadened his focus to Italian genre scenes and increasingly to Orientalist subjects. His travels to Algeria from 1833 were pivotal in this development: unlike contemporaries such as Delacroix, Vernet relied heavily on direct observation. His sketchbooks show detailed studies of horses, riders, markets, and desert landscapes, which he later incorporated into both large historical compositions and smaller, more intimate scenes. His work was highly appreciated by King Louis-Philippe, who commissioned him for important projects at Versailles. Additionally, Vernet served as a mentor to younger artists, including Raden Saleh.
The two desert scenes presented here showcase mastery and versatility. La poste au désert captures the speed and tension of a courier on a galloping camel, caught in a dynamic diagonal movement through the bright desert light. L'Arabe en prière forms a contrast: a tranquil, subdued scene in which a praying man and his camel harmoniously blend into the expansive landscape. Both works were engraved in 1843 by Alexandre Vincent Sixdeniers.
According to Sotheby Parke Bernet's auction catalog (Los Angeles, 1979), La poste au désert once belonged to Hollywood director Rex Ingram, known for his visually rich films that, like Vernet's work, reflected a fascination with the exotic and the distant East.
These two paintings are among Vernet's most striking Orientalist works: carefully observed, evocative, and imbued with both drama and stillness. They serve as a vivid testament to his ability to capture cultures and landscapes outside Europe with remarkable precision and imagination.
Viewing by appointment is possible.
Seller's Story
Over Art Dumay
Art Dumay in Nuenen is much more than just a gallery. It is a versatile art enterprise that brings together modern and classical art under one roof. From our gallery for contemporary painting and our art dealership with classical works, we are engaged in evaluating, purchasing, and selling art. We do this both directly and through carefully organized art auctions for modern and classical art.
Our selection is broad and varied — from modern Dutch artists to renowned masters from the past.
With more than 25 years of experience, we successfully guide purchase and sale processes for individuals, companies, governments, and institutions.
Art Dumay has an extensive regional, national, and international network of buyers and collectors.
In addition to our sales activities, we also provide professional appraisals, restorations, and repair work in-house. Thanks to our effective auction methodology, we are able to reach a large international audience, while our art collections are safely stored and insured in our 1,000 m² building in Nuenen.
At Art Dumay, expertise, a passion for art, and personal attention are at the core — each day again.
Translated by Google TranslateHorace Vernet (French, 1789–1863)
I. The post in the desert; II. The Arab in prayer
I. signed ‘H Vernet’ (bottom left); II. signed and dated ‘H Vernet 1842’ (bottom right)
Both oil paintings on canvas.
Dimensions: 55.5 × 46 cm (2)
Dimensions with frame: 78 x 68 cm (2)
Origin
– Rex Ingram Collection, Hollywood.
I. Veiling, Sotheby Parke Bernet, Los Angeles, March 12, 1979, lot 56, as: The Post in the Desert.
– I. Veiling, Cornette de Saint-Cyr, Paris, April 29, 1983, lot 50.
Horace Vernet (1789–1863), born in the Louvre as a member of a famous artist family, naturally grew into an exceptional painter. Although he missed out on the Prix de Rome, he was supported early on by influential patrons, including the Bonaparte family and later the duc d’Orléans. With his clear storytelling and eye for detail, he quickly gained great fame, especially for his contemporary military and historical scenes.
In 1829, Vernet became the director of the French Academy in Rome, where he broadened his focus to Italian genre scenes and increasingly to Orientalist subjects. His travels to Algeria from 1833 were pivotal in this development: unlike contemporaries such as Delacroix, Vernet relied heavily on direct observation. His sketchbooks show detailed studies of horses, riders, markets, and desert landscapes, which he later incorporated into both large historical compositions and smaller, more intimate scenes. His work was highly appreciated by King Louis-Philippe, who commissioned him for important projects at Versailles. Additionally, Vernet served as a mentor to younger artists, including Raden Saleh.
The two desert scenes presented here showcase mastery and versatility. La poste au désert captures the speed and tension of a courier on a galloping camel, caught in a dynamic diagonal movement through the bright desert light. L'Arabe en prière forms a contrast: a tranquil, subdued scene in which a praying man and his camel harmoniously blend into the expansive landscape. Both works were engraved in 1843 by Alexandre Vincent Sixdeniers.
According to Sotheby Parke Bernet's auction catalog (Los Angeles, 1979), La poste au désert once belonged to Hollywood director Rex Ingram, known for his visually rich films that, like Vernet's work, reflected a fascination with the exotic and the distant East.
These two paintings are among Vernet's most striking Orientalist works: carefully observed, evocative, and imbued with both drama and stillness. They serve as a vivid testament to his ability to capture cultures and landscapes outside Europe with remarkable precision and imagination.
Viewing by appointment is possible.
Seller's Story
Over Art Dumay
Art Dumay in Nuenen is much more than just a gallery. It is a versatile art enterprise that brings together modern and classical art under one roof. From our gallery for contemporary painting and our art dealership with classical works, we are engaged in evaluating, purchasing, and selling art. We do this both directly and through carefully organized art auctions for modern and classical art.
Our selection is broad and varied — from modern Dutch artists to renowned masters from the past.
With more than 25 years of experience, we successfully guide purchase and sale processes for individuals, companies, governments, and institutions.
Art Dumay has an extensive regional, national, and international network of buyers and collectors.
In addition to our sales activities, we also provide professional appraisals, restorations, and repair work in-house. Thanks to our effective auction methodology, we are able to reach a large international audience, while our art collections are safely stored and insured in our 1,000 m² building in Nuenen.
At Art Dumay, expertise, a passion for art, and personal attention are at the core — each day again.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Artist
Horace Vernet (F1789-1863)
Sold with frame
Yes
Title of artwork
I. 'La poste au desert'; II. 'L'Arabe en Prière'
Technique
Oil painting
Signature
Hand signed
Country of Origin
France
Year
1842
Condition
Good condition
Height
78 cm
Width
68 cm
Period
19th century
