Lot 366: LOUIS MATHIEU DIDIER GUILLAUME (VIRGINIA / FRENCH, 1816-1892) PAIR OF PORTRAITS

LOUIS MATHIEU DIDIER GUILLAUME (VIRGINIA / FRENCH, 1816-1892) PAIR OF PORTRAITS, oil on canvas, depicting a husband and wife, she is wearing a classical cameo broach, each signed "L. M. D. Guillaume" at lower edge. Verso of lady with an illegible name and "RICHMOND, VA" stenciled in red. Not framed. Probably Richmond, VA sitters.

27 1/4" x 22".

Third quarter 19th century.

Good as-found condition, gentleman with a small hole between eyes, lady with 1" puncture to center left side.

For a discussion of the artist and list of his works see Weddell - Portraiture in the Virginia Historical Society, pp. 152-158.

Louis Guillaume was born in Nantes, France. After learning his craft in his home country, he immigrated to the United States as early as 1855 and was working in Richmond, VA by 1857. He painted a large number of portraits in Richmond and the surrounding area including a number of Confederate officers.