Henry Caro-Delvaille
The White Peacock
Oil on canvas
This large composition of a new kind dates from the most appreciated and sought-after artistic period of the artist, before its final installation to the United States in 1916. It testifies of the notoriety of Caro-Delvaille in France and abroad by the history of its public exhibitions and gives to contemplate the bourgeois society of its time. If the painting is based on the collective and exclusive representation of the "conversation piece", in which each individual is portrayed engaged in genteel conversation or some activity. It also meets the expectations of art critics in favor of painting of intimacy.Read more
All stages of life are represented in this vast painting of the dimensions of a decorative frieze. A young mother leans over her newborn baby in her arms, joined by a little girl on the other side of the table. On the left, men of old age are discussing. The rustling of conversations and the image of meditative maternity contribute to the harmonious atmosphere of the group.
In the foreground, three elements draw particular attention: the elegant bearded gentleman seated in a rattan chair between a young woman with luxurious dress climbing up the stairs and a majestic white peacock. While smoking a cigarette, the man looks thoughtfully at the moving animal. This rare species and its presence fuel our curiosity, especially since the title of the painting comes from this central motif.
Léon Bourgeois, « Salon de la Société Nationale », L’Art et les artistes, avril-septembre 1908, T. VII, p. 71
Raymond Bouyer, « Les Salons de 1908. Peinture », Revue de l’art ancien et moderne, 10 janvier 1908, 12e année, vol. 23, T. XXIII, n°130, p. 376.
Henri Chervet, « Le Salon de la Société Nationale », La Nouvelle Revue, mai-juin 1908, 3e série, 29e année, T. 3, p. 276.
Max Doumic, « Les Salons de 1908 », Le Correspondant : revue mensuelle : religion, philosophie, politique…, 10 avril 1908, 80e année, p. 1002.
Pierre Hirsch, « Les Arts : A Paris la Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts », La Société Nouvelle : revue internationale, sociologie, arts, sciences, lettres, avril 1908, 13e année, T. IV, p. 232.
Camille Le Senne, « La Musique et le Théâtre aux Salons du Grand Palais », Le Menestrel, journal de musique, samedi 25 avril 1908, 74e année, n°17, p. 132.
1908, Salon de la Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts
After 1908 and until around 1920, the painting was installed on the wall of the dining room of the Hôtel Westminster, 13 rue de la Paix, Paris.
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