Simon Durand (1838-1896)
Swiss School

AN ALARM, BLACKSMITH’S LEISURE, 1879

40 x 33 inches / 53¾ x 46¼ framed
Oil on canvas

Signed lower left: “Simon Durand”


                                Provenance:        Private Collection until 1974, Los Angeles, California
                                                          Armand du Vannes, Los Angeles, California

                                Literature:          Champlin, John D., Cyclopedia of Painters and Paintings, 
                                                          New York: Empire state Book Company, 1927, p. 436.

                                Reference:          Benezit, E., Dictionnaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, 
                                                          Dessinateurs et Graveurs, Paris: Libraire Grund, 1975.


    Simon Durand was born in Geneva.  He traveled to Paris where he studied at the Ecoles d’Art and was also a pupil of the Swiss artist Barthelemy Menn (1815-1893).  Durand is best known for his portraits and his highly original genre paintings touched with sensitivity and humor.

    Accompanying and original to the painting, is a custom designed and carved frame, specifically made for this picture.  Trompe l’oeil carved metal straps appear to hold the corners of the frame together.


Price: $45,000.

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