“Still Life with Fruit”, Alfred-Arthur Brunel de Neuville, 19th Century – France Technique: Oil on canvas Title: “Still Life” Artist: Alfred-Arthur Brunel de Neuville, signed Lebrun Period: Late 19th Century Country of Origin: France Good condition considering its age and use Dimensions: 60 x 81 cm An exceptional still life of fruit in oil on canvas by the French painter Alfred-Arthur Brunel de Neuville (1852-1941), signed as Lebrun, one of his common pseudonyms. He used these pseudonyms (“Leon Brun”, “Bernard Neuville”, or “Brunille”) to avoid saturating the market during peak production periods. The painting displays baskets of peaches, bunches of white and black grapes, plums, and a metal jug, rendered in the realistic and meticulous style characteristic of the genre. The development of still life painting is situated within the context of a growing appreciation for art and the explosion of interest in naturalism and the imitation of nature that began to develop at the end of the previous century. It stands out for the sobriety of its composition and the tenebrist effect reflected in the dark background, enveloped in a penumbra from which the fruit seems to emerge, resting on the surface of a wooden board or table. The artist's extraordinary ability to capture the tactile qualities of the objects is also evident. He managed to differentiate with complete realism the velvety skin of the peaches, the moist translucence of the grapes, the dense sheen of the pewter or bronze containers, and the ceramic earthenware. It also features a beautiful and meticulous realism, absolutely descriptive, achieved through the handling of light and color, with subtle variations of light and shadow, and a great sense of volume in the objects depicted. The artist displays his magnificent skill in still-life painting, especially noticeable in his rendering of the different textures of the elements, as the peaches seem to invite us to touch their skin. Alfred-Arthur Brunel de Neuville (1852–1941) Alfred-Arthur Brunel de Neuville was a prominent French painter of the 19th-century school, celebrated throughout Europe for his technical mastery in two major commercial genres of the time: still lifes and realistic, sentimental scenes of kittens playing. He was born in Paris and received his first art lessons from his father, the landscape painter Léon Brunel. Later, he furthered his training in the Parisian academic circles of the late 19th century. In 1879, at just 27 years old, he exhibited for the first time at the prestigious Paris Salon, presenting a still life of apples and grapes that garnered attention for its realistic approach. In 1907, he became a member of the Société des Artistes Français. He died in 1941, and his remains rest in the famous Montmartre Cemetery. Currently, his works adorn important French art galleries in cities such as Béziers, Brest, Château-Thierry, and Louviers. Shipping costs will be paid by the buyer according to the product's dimensions, weight, and destination. Shipping costs include professional, custom-made packaging and personalized delivery with tracking and warranty. The buyer will be responsible for paying any import duties and associated taxes in the destination country, if applicable. Please note the seller's disclaimer regarding any customs duties, as these are levied in the destination country and the amount payable is determined by that country's customs authority. If an export permit is required, the buyer is responsible for the associated costs. The cost of the permit varies depending on the value of the artwork being exported. This piece has an attribution mark, I am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity issues arising from misattribution