Joseph Athanase Aufray (French, 1836–c.1885)

Joseph Athanase Aufray (French, 1836–c.1885)

School Children Play Fighting in the Snow

Oil on Canvas

• Signed lower right.
• Painting - 46cm x 56cm
• Frame - 60cm x 70cm

Notes

A superb example of the work of 19th century French genre painter Joseph Athanase Aufray depicting a winter street scene with children play fighting in the snow.  Signed lower right.

Condition

In very fine 'gallery' condition.  Professionally lined and conserved in the last few decades.  Clean, most attractive, well framed and ready to hang.

Artist Information

Joseph Athanase Aufray was born in Paris in 1836, was a pupil of Barrias. He exhibited regularly at the Paris Salon between 1865 and 1876 and was represented for the last time in 1885. In 1873 he sent several paintings to ‘L’Exposition de Cologne and he also exhibited in London at the Royal Academy in 1876.  Joseph Athanase Aufray enjoyed great success in his artistic career, for the mainstay of his subject matter was charming portraits of children.  Painters such as Frere, Duverger, Dargelas, Arnoux and Dansaert, like Aufray, worked from the artists’ colony of Ecouen, just outside of Paris. These artists, and others within the commune, painted cheerful domestic compositions of home, family and especially children.