Lot 247: GOUNOD, CHARLES FRANÇOIS (1818-1893, French composer)

PORTRAIT BY EUGEN FELIX (1837-1906),
oil on canvas, en grisaille, head and shoulders, signed and dated by the artist 1872, Gounod's name written in contemporary hands on the back and top and bottom edges of the stretcher, 25 x 18 in (63.5 x 45.7 cm), unframed.

This untraced portrait was painted at the time of Gounod's relationship with the singer Georgina Weldon, which came to be known as the 'Gounodyssey'. Born in Austria, Felix studied under Waldmuller, Siret and Rahl and completed his studies in Paris. He exhibited in Munich and Vienna.