Louis Anquetin (French, 1861-1932) Le combat des centaures et des Lapithes

Louis Anquetin (French, 1861-1932) Le combat des centaures et des Lapithes signed 'Anquetin' (lower left); with artist's atelier stamp (on stretcher verso) oil on canvas 40 x 55cm (15 3/4 x 21 5/8in). Footnotes: After completing his studies at the lycée in Rouen, Anquetin relocated to Paris around 1882, where he entered the atelier libre de Cormon. It was here that he began his artistic formation alongside a circle of avant-garde painters. Influenced by the works of Degas and Japanese artists, Anquetin's interest shifted toward Impressionism, embracing the theories of Signac and his circle. As a member of the Symbolist and Synthetist movements, he exhibited at the Café Volpini following the establishment of the Refusés au Salon in 1889. It was during this period that Anquetin articulated the concept of Cloisonnism, a style he saw exemplified in the work of Gauguin, after a pivotal discussion with Émilie Bernard. The two artists subsequently collaborated, synthesizing their research on Cloisonnism into a seminal joint essay. From 1890 onwards, his passion for life, dynamic shapes, and colour led him to study anatomy and composition. He developed a particular taste for painting allegories and equestrian subjects, drawing inspiration from the masterpieces of Rubens, Jordaens, and the Flemish painters of the 17th century. With a profound disillusionment toward his own era and a sense of nostalgia for his predecessors, he ultimately retreated into solitude, adopting a misanthropic stance in his later years. This particular work exemplifies Anquetin's enduring passion for academic themes and his fascination with dynamic, symbolist compositions. The scene depicts a mythical fight between the Centaurs and the Lapiths, known as the Centauromachy. According to ancient legend, the centaurs were invited to the wedding of King Pirithous of the Lapiths and Hippodameia. Known for their reckless behaviour and propensity for drunken debauchery, the centaurs indulged in vast quantities of wine. As the wedding ceremony was about to begin, the centaur Eurytion rose and made an attempt to kiss the bride, Hippodameia. This act of impropriety provoked a violent reaction as each centaur, emboldened by their inebriation, sought to assault the wedding guests. In response, the Lapiths, deeply affronted, engaged in a fierce battle with the centaurs. The conflict culminated in the defeat of the centaurs, who were subsequently driven from Lapith territory. Provenance Atelier de Louis Anquetin sale, Thierry de Maigret Commissaire Priseur, Paris, 28 November 2008, lot 147. With Leighton Fine Art, London. Private collection, UK. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing