A presumed portrait of Gustave Flaubert for the Musée de la Vie romantique

29/2/24 - Acquisition - Paris, Musée de la Vie romantique - Thanks to a donation, a presumed portrait of Gustave Flaubert (ill. 1) has joined the Musée de la Vie romantique. An emblematic figure of realism, Flaubert also maintained close links with the Romantic movement, in particular with George Sand, his faithful correspondent, to whom three rooms are devoted on the ground floor of the museum, displaying among his drawings, the furniture and jewellery that belonged to her, and portraits of her close friends and family. The oval effigy came onto the Paris art market in March 1999, and was sold at Hôtel Drouot by Rieunier & Bailly-Pommery. It is listed on the Centre Gustave Flaubert website as a presumed portrait of Flaubert by Thomas Couture, or by his circle. Gaëlle Rio, Director of…