Attributed to Narcisse Virgilio Diaz de la Pena (French, 1807-1876), Nude, oil on canvas, signed, image: 15.5"h x 11"w (39.37 x 27.94 cm) , overall (with frame): 24.5"h x 20.5"w (62.23 x 52.07 cm)


Narcisse Virgilio Diaz de la Pena (1807-1876) was a French painter of the Barbizon school. Around 1831 Diaz encountered Thodore Rousseau, for whom he possessed a great veneration, even though Rousseau was four years younger. At Fontainebleau, Diaz found Rousseau painting his wonderful forest pictures and was determined to paint in the same way if possible. However, Rousseau was then in poor health, embittered against the world, and consequently was difficult to approach. On one occasion, Diaz followed him surreptitiously to the forest, with his wooden leg hindering his advance, but he dodged around after the painter, trying to observe his method of work. After a time Diaz found a way to become friendly with Rousseau and revealed his eagerness to understand the latter's techniques. Rousseau was touched by the passionate words of admiration and finally taught Diaz all he knew. Diaz exhibited many pictures at the Paris Salon and was decorated in 1851 with the rank of Chevalier (Knight) of the Lgion dhonneur. During the Franco-German War (1870-1871) he went to Brussels. After 1871, his works became fashionable and rose gradually in the estimation of collectors, and he worked constantly and successfully. Diazs finest pictures are his forest scenes and storms, and it is on these that his fame rests. There are several examples of his work in the Louvre, and three small figure pictures in the Wallace Collection, Hertford House. Perhaps the most notable of Diaz's works are The Pearl Fairy (1857); Sunset in the Forest (1868); The Forest of Fontainebleau (1870), and The Storm (1871). The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds some two dozen works by Díaz, including another version of The Forest of Fontainebleau and many drawings and studies. Diaz himself had no well-known pupils, but François Visconti emulated his work to some degree and Léon Richet followed markedly his methods of tree-painting. For a period, Jean-François Millet also painted small figures in avowed imitation of Diaz's then-popular subjects. Renoir once said, "My hero was Diaz". In 1876, while visiting his son's grave, he caught a cold. He went to Menton in an attempt to recover his health, but on 18 November that year, he died. Díaz's son, Eugène-Émile (1837 - 1901), achieved some fame as composer Eugène Diaz. The rue Narcisse Diaz in Auteuil, Paris is named after him.



Condition: Frame not guarantee for condition. Provenance: Property from an Estate in Connecticut.

NOTE: THIS ITEM IS IN NEW YORK, WHERE IT CAN BE SHIPPED FROM. Click here for more detailed images.

For additional information, including condition reports, please email Clars Los Angeles at [email protected]. The absence of a condition statement does not mean that the lot is in perfect condition

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

PAYMENT AND PICKUP
Invoices must be paid in full within three days and merchandise picked up within two weeks of the date of sale. Payment may be made by cash, wire transfer, check, credit/debit card. Credit/debit card payments will be subject to an additional 2% processing fee. A storage fee may be charged if merchandise is left longer than two weeks at a rate of $10.00 PER LOT PER DAY. If the property is left longer than 3 1?2 (three and one-half) weeks, you may not be approved to bid in any subsequent auction. We are not responsible for packing or shipping. If the property is left longer than 90days, it will be considered abandoned. We are not responsible for packing and shipping.

by Clars Auctions
July 9, 2025 2:30 PM PDT
818 Las Tunas Dr
Los Angeles, CA, US 91776

Clars Auctions

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $500,000:
31.00%
$500,001 - $1,000,000:
25.00%
$1,000,001+:
15.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $49 $10
$50 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $24,999 $1,000
$25,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000