The Birth of Venus (Venus appearing to the Fishermen)

(Gustave Moreau)

Literature: Mme Gustave Moreau, account book, as Vénus et les pêcheurs; Paul Flat, Gustave Moreau, in “La Revue de l’Art ancient et moderne,” 10 March 1898, p. 237 (as Vénus aparaissent aux pêcheurs), illustrated.; Charles Baillehache, Nouveau catalogue de l’oeuvre de Gustave Moreau remis à jour en 1915 (handwritten manuscript monograph), no. 55; Pierre-Louis Mathieu, Gustave Moreau, Catalogue raisonné de l’oeuvre achevé, Paris, 1976, p. 303, no. 86, illustrated; Paris, Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais: Chicago, Art Institute, & New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gustave Moreau, exh. Cat., 1998-99, cited p. 265.

Related works: Paris, Musée Gustave Moreau, Naissance de Vénus deposée dur la plage par les flots / des pêcheurs grecs se prostèrent et l’adorent.

Provenance: M. Tessé (acquired from the artist); Galerie Brame, Paris (acquired from the above); A. Tillet Collection, Paris (acquired from the above); Sale, Paris, Hotel Drouot, Vente Tilliet, 29 March 1895; Lindet Collectin (purchased in the Tillet sale); By descent until 1999.

Exhibited: Paris, Galerie Georges Petit, Gustave Moreau, May 1906, no. 73 (label on reverse).