Property from an English Private Collection

JEHAN GEORGES VIBERT (FRENCH 1840-1902)
The rehearsal
signed J.G.Vibert (lower left)
oil on canvas
89.3 x 130.7 cm (35 3/8 x 51 1/2 in)

PROVENANCE:
The Cider House Galleries Ltd, Bletchingley
Purchased from the above by the present owner in September 1998

The present impressive oil is an especially large scale example of Jehan George Vibert’s wry depiction of the Catholic Church seen behind closed doors. In it a choir of eight monks are rehearsed by a cantankerous Monseigneur in his palatial surroundings. Enthroned on a richly brocaded armchair the prelate clutches his violin as he strains forward in his seat, using his bow to conduct. Accompanying the singers are a double-bass player and a young and earnest pianist, both attired in distinctive red ecclesiastical robes. With mouths open-wide, and eyes fixed intently on their music, the choir seem to be literally singing for their lives. Woe betide the poor chorister who sings a wrong note, or misses the beat.

See introduction to lot 358.