Renée Delmas de Pont-Jest
1875
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
83.2 × 102.2 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Krystyna Campbell-Pretty AM and Family through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program, 2022
Gallery location
Late 19th & early 20th Century Paintings & Decorative Arts Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
Louise Abbéma began painting in her early teens, after which she studied under Charles Chaplin and Carolus-Duran. She first received recognition for her work at the age of twenty-three when she painted a portrait of her lifelong friend (and possibly lover), the celebrated actress and artist Sarah Bernhardt. The sitter here is Marie-Louise-Renée née Delmas de Pont-Jest (1858–1902), an actress and sculptor, who was also one of Abbéma’s closest friends. Seated at a desk, she holds a letter written on a sheet of black-bordered mourning stationery and seems to be penning a condolence note in response. In 1882 Pont-Jest married the noted actor Lucien Guitry. The couple’s son, Sascha Guitry, achieved fame as a film director.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Paris, France
Inscription
inscribed in black paint u.r.: Louise Abbema_ 75
Accession Number
2022.1528
Department
International Painting