Sir William Orpen RA, Le Chef de l'Hôtel Chatham, Paris, ca. 1921.
Oil on canvas. 1270 mm x 1025 mm x 25 mm. © Photo: Royal Academy of Arts, London. Photographer: John Hammond.
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Le Chef de l'Hôtel Chatham, Paris, ca. 1921
Sir William Orpen RA (1878 - 1931)
RA Collection: Art
Orpen's painting is a tour de force of monumental portraiture. The crisp white folds of the chef's uniform, the still-life of bottle and wine and the chops are all painted with dazzling technique set against a dark background. Orpen was inspired by artists such as Velázquez and Manet, but in his choice of subject he elevates the working man by portraying him with a swagger and authority equal to any nobleman.
The painting depicts Eugene Grossrieter (“Chester”), second chef at the Hotel Chatham, Paris.
Object details
1270 mm x 1025 mm x 25 mm
Associated works of art
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