A beautifully detailed genre painting of a gentleman with a hunting rifle and smoking a clay pipe by Adolphe Alexandre Lesrel. The man, who is dressed in 17th century costume is seated next to a table containing game, a wine decanter and silver gilt standing cup with cover. All of the props including the 17th century wheel lock musket rifle are of the period and were carefully chosen by Lesrel to bring authenticity to his works.

Adolphe-Alexandre Lesrel was born in Genêts, located in the Normandy region of France, on 19 May, 1839. He was the son of a wealthy landowner Alexandre François Lesrel and his wife Anne Jourdan and his family's financial security undoubtedly enabled him to pursue his artistic education.

In 1861 at the age of 22, he went to Paris to study under Jean-Léon Gérôme (1824-1904) at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. He was also influenced by the work of Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier and began to specialise in highly detailed historical genre paintings with meticulous attention to the details of his subject's dress and surroundings. His paintings proved popular as they coincided with a contemporary nostalgic fascination with French history. Lesrel made his debut at the Paris Salon in 1865, continuing to exhibit there regularly throughout his life. As well as exhibiting in France, he also exhibited in England particularly at the Arthur Tooth and Sons Gallery in London.

Having established himself as a successful artist, he married Josephine Eulalie Létang on 4 April, 1872 who was one of his models. Together they lived at 85, rue Ampère where they had two daughters. From the 1880’s, his work was focused more on historical genre scenes of the 17th century featuring gentlemen engaged in pursuits such as art collecting, sport, playing musical instruments or wine connoisseurship. Throughout his career he won a number of accolades and awards. In 1885, he became a member of the Society of French Artists, received an honorable mention at the prestigious Paris Salon in 1889 and in 1890 he became a member of the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts . In 1907, Lesrel left Paris and returned to his hometown of Genêts, but continued to exhibit in Paris and in England. He died at Genêts on 25 February, 1929.

Examples of his work can be found in a number of museums and art galleries including the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Nantes, Musée des Beaux-Arts in Rouen, Bury Art Museum and The New York Public Library.

© Benton Fine Art