Today’s “do you know”? Do you know what trick Victor Prouvé used to paint Émile Gallé’s portrait?

The National Society of Fine Arts exhibition is “The place to be” for artists. Great names in painting, sculpture and engraving have been exhibiting at this annual event for over 160 years.

During the 1892 edition, the Nancy artist Victor Prouvé had only one idea in mind: to cause a sensation!

He has the idea of ​​presenting a series of portraits with emblematic Nancy residents such as Émile Goutière-Vernolle and Jacques Turbin. In his list, he wants to add the name of Émile Gallé.

The two men know each other and have already collaborated on certain works. Victor Prouvé is also one of the few, if not the only one, to see his name and signature reproduced on some of Gallé’s works. It should be noted that this collaboration was not the result of a chance meeting. Their respective fathers were already collaborating.

His wife acted as an intermediary

It should be added that Victor Prouvé had already in the past produced portraits of people close to Émile Gallé: his wife Henriette Gallé-Grimm, his daughters Thérèse, Lucile and Claude.

But the proximity of the artists is not enough to convince Émile Gallé to take a break while having his portrait taken.

So to achieve his goals, the young artist will use a clever stratagem.

He will take advantage of Émile Gallé’s state of health to convince his wife that he must take a break. He looks very tired. So worried, his wife manages to make him give in.

And this is how Victor Prouvé launches into one of the most beautiful representations of Émile Gallé, exhibited today at the École de Nancy museum.

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