France, 19th century / c. 1878–80
Paul Lafond and Alphonse Cherfils Examining a Painting
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Paul Lafond and Alphonse Cherfils Examining a Painting as painting (France, 19th century · c. 1878–80).
The gentlemen in this painting had close relationships with many Parisian artists and would go directly to their studios to purchase works that they wanted to exhibit or sell.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this painting as oil on wood panel and credits Edgar Degas (French, 1834–1917).
The museum's collection notes: The upper left corner of this painting bears a dedication by Degas "to his dear friends." The double portrait depicts Paul Lafond (left), future curator of the art museum at Pau, in southwestern France, and Alphonse Cherfils (right), an art collector and defender of the Impressionists. Through the influence of these friends, Degas's works were selected for the annual exhibitions of the Société des Amis des Arts (Society of Friends of the Arts), and his painting, A Cotton Office (1873), was the first by the artist to be purchased by a museum. Since the painting held by the two men is probably by Degas, this intimate image commemorates both per
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtPaul Lafond and Alphonse Cherfils Examining a PaintingOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.