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Woman with a Taper
Jules Breton (French, 1827–1906)
1873
Medium/Technique
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
54 x 40 cm (21 1/4 x 15 3/4 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Edward Jackson Holmes
Accession Number41.115
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsPaintings
Early in his artistic career, which began only around 1879, van Gogh revered the artist Jules Breton, famous for his meticulously crafted scenes of rural life. In 1880, the young painter set out from the Netherlands on an arduous walking tour to northern France - to the town of Courrières, where Breton lived. Although he located Breton's studio in the town, "I dared not introduce myself and go in," he confessed to his brother.
InscriptionsLower left: Jules Breton / 1873
ProvenanceJanuary 22, 1874, acquired by Goupil et Cie., Paris (stock no. 8687); August 3, 1874, sold by Goupil to Mr. Williams, Boston (probably the dealers Williams and Everett) [see note 1]. By 1875, Thomas Wigglesworth (b. 1814 - d. 1906 or 1907), Boston [see note 2]; by descent to his niece, Henrietta Goddard Wigglesworth (Mrs. W. Scott Fitz) (b. 1847 - d. 1927), Boston; by descent to her son, Edward Jackson Holmes (b. 1873 - d. 1950), Boston; 1941, gift of Edward Jackson Holmes to the MFA. (Accession Date: March 13, 1941)
NOTES:
[1] As "Devotion." Getty Provenance Index, PI Record No. G-11852 (stock book 7, no. 8687, p. 111). The Goupil stock number is stencilled on the reverse of the painting.
[2] This is probably the painting titled "Devotee" by Breton that Wigglesworth lent to the Fine Arts Exhibition, Boston Art Club, April 1875 (cat. no. 83).
NOTES:
[1] As "Devotion." Getty Provenance Index, PI Record No. G-11852 (stock book 7, no. 8687, p. 111). The Goupil stock number is stencilled on the reverse of the painting.
[2] This is probably the painting titled "Devotee" by Breton that Wigglesworth lent to the Fine Arts Exhibition, Boston Art Club, April 1875 (cat. no. 83).