27th May 2016

AUCTION RESULTS FOR ‘ROLLA’ CIRCA 1878

BY HENRI GERVEX, FRENCH (1852-1929)

SOTHEBYS LONDON ’19TH CENTURY EUROPEAN PAINTINGS SALE’ 25TH MAY 2016

 

The highlight of the ’19th Century European Paintings Sale’ at Sotheby’s London on 25th May 2016 was a famous painting entitled ‘ROLLA’ by  Henri Gervex.

The notorious painting caused quite a scandal in the Spring of 1878  when it was rejected by the Salon de Paris on the grounds that it was “immoral”.

On Wednesday 25th May 2016 ‘ROLLA’ steered emotions once again only this time for quite a different reason, selling for an astonishing £1.385 million, a new record for the Artist and far exceeding its estimate of £400,000 to £600,000.

The Painting’s Fascinating Background:

‘Henri Gervex’s  inspiration for ‘ROLLA’ was found  in a long poem by Alfred de Musset (1810-1857) published in 1833. The poem recounts the destiny of a young bourgeois, Jacques Rolla, falling into a life of idleness and debauchery. He meets with Marie, a teenager who turned to  prostitution to escape from misery. Rolla is seen here ruined, standing by the window, his eyes turned to the girl sleeping. He is about to commit suicide by poison.’

The sale brought a total of £5,205,875 against a pre-sale estimate of £3.6-5.3 million. with 69% of lots sold.

Another RECORD BREAKER for the Auction Rooms, this time well deserved!

Best Wishes

Claire Moore BA(Hons)

GALLERY MANAGER

 

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