Lot 54: *PIERRE LOUIS OMER CHARLET FRENCH, 1809-1882

signed, dated and inscribed Roma 1845/Omer Charlet (lower left) oil on canvas Pierre Louis Omer Charlet entered the École des Beaux-Arts in October of 1833 and became a student of Ingres and Gros. He exhibited at the Paris Salon from 1835 until 1868, and in 1841 he used the name Omer-Charlet, the same year he received a third class medal. This work depicts the famous Italian poet Pietro Metastasio, renowned librettist who wrote for the opera in the 18th century. In 1712, at the age of twelve, he wrote Guistino, a tragedy in the Senecan style. By 1719, he had traveled to Naples and was welcomed in aristocratic circles. Charlet brilliantly depicts a romantic vision of the young Metastaio as orator, surrounded by festively-clad figures captivated by his tale.