Alexandre Bloch (1857–1919) - Vanity

Alexandre BLOCH (Paris, 1857 – Paris, 1919)

Vanity

Oil on canvas
Signed and dated lower right
45 x 65 cm
1880

A student of Jean-Léon Gérôme and Jules Bastien-Lepage, Alexandre Bloch debuted at the Salon of French Artists in 1880 with a still life entitled Chez l'antiquaire: “We can distinguish on a Moorish and variegated carpet of red, white and yellow tones: a steel rapier, an earthenware alcarraza, a chased gold sugar bowl, an iron box with bronze ornaments, a Christ, a Lourdes rosary; all well-arranged and grouped in beautiful disorder. Qualities and great taste” says the Véron Dictionary of January 1, 1880. Our painting, more meditative, is from the same year.
What followed were the submissions which made his reputation, namely historical paintings of patriotic inspiration, notably with representations of scenes of chouannerie and the Franco-German war of 1870. It was with these historical themes that he obtained a medal of honor. third class at the Paris Salon of 1885 and second class in 1889.
From around 1900, once success was well established under the Third Republic, he supplemented his submissions to the Salon with portraits of the great bourgeoisie of the time (deputies, doctors, religious figures).

Alexandre Bloch was decorated with the Legion of Honor in 1911 for his services as a reserve lieutenant in a territorial infantry regiment.

At the time of his death, he was a military painter accredited as a painter of the Army Museum.

Museums: Chambéry, Nantes (Mus. Dobrée), Quimper, Rennes, Vannes, Verdun…