This fine late 19th-century oil painting by Belgian artist Jean Guillaume Rosier (1858-1931) depicts a sturdy gentleman with his left hand resting on papers. Elaborate silver and goldware are positioned beyond.

Jean Guillaume Rosier was a distinguished painter of portraits, figures and historical works. His technical ability was based upon his superior academic teachings and underpinned by masterful draughtsmanship. He studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and also possibly under the tutelage of Carolus-Duran (1837-1917) who trained John Singer Sargent.

With portraiture, Rosier accomplished what many of his academic contemporaries failed to achieve - he worked to an advanced technical level while retaining a sitter’s spirit. There’s a sense of movement, a flicker of life, we’re looking at a real man, rather than a porcelain mannequin or lay figure. It’s plausible that this particular gentleman was involved in the design of the exquisite wares we see to his left. The paperwork under his hand appears to display a design.

Rosier was knighted with The Order of Leopold and he’s represented at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

Signed/dated in the lower left and held within a later frame.

Learn more about Jean Guillaume Rosier in our directory.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 37” x 55” / 94cm x 140cm
Year of creation: c. 1899
Labels & Inscriptions: Supplier’s stamp on reverse relating to J. Stalins-Verschuylen, Anvers (Antwerp).
Provenance: Private collection, England.
Condition: Assessed and approved by our conservator. Cleaned. Fine and settled craquelure, as you would expect. The paint layer is stable.
Artist’s auction maximum: £6,040
Our reference: BRV1817