Henri Scheffer (1798–1862), The Arrest of Charlotte Corday – Original Oil on canvas, Signed, Circa 1830
This signed original oil painting by and documented by Henri Scheffer offers a powerful and emotionally resonant portrayal of Charlotte Corday, the young Girondin who assassinated Jean-Paul Marat in 1793. At the time, France was gripped by the Reign of Terror — the Revolution’s most violent and radical phase. In this compelling scene, Corday is depicted at the moment of her arrest, standing calm and composed amid the fury of a revolutionary crowd, embodying moral conviction in the face of chaos. Scheffer’s dramatic composition aligns with the Romantic taste for historical martyrdom and moral sacrifice, and this work demonstrates the artist’s characteristic sensitivity to political narrative and inner emotional force. A larger version of this composition, painted in 1830 and now held in the Musée de Grenoble, is considered the canonical work on the subject by Scheffer. That museum version — exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1831 — was acquired by the French state and became the model for later academic studies and reproductions by lesser known artists. The present painting, smaller in scale and signed by Sheffer, is a contemporaneous variant of that celebrated composition, executed by Sheffer himself with comparable narrative depth, psychological sensitivity, and painterly finesse.
Canvas Dimensions: 65 × 81 cm (25 9/16 × 31 7/8 in).
Original, Not a Copy Unlike the numerous 19th-century academic copies of this subject by students and lesser-known artists, this is an original signed work by Henri Scheffer himself. The quality of execution, narrative depth, and painterly technique all confirm its authorship — further supported by a visible artist’s signature and preserved historical context and provenance. Provenance Albert Warnant, 19th-century collector (inscribed on stretcher: “Appartenant à Albert Warnant”) Likely exhibited in a 19th-century salon or institutional setting (accompanied by a period French exhibition label verso) Severin Wundermann (1938–2008) – Prominent American collector and philanthropist. Personally restored under his supervision and housed at his private estate, Château Montfort, on the Côte d’Azur. Sold posthumously as part of his estate by Bonhams, London (Knightsbridge):“Château Montfort – The Property of Severin Wundermann,” June 2010. Condition and Presentation In excellent condition, professionally cleaned and conserved. There have been some old restorations particularly in the area of the dog which show under UV light inspection. The important exhibition labels and notes on the reverse of the canvas have been protected using plexiglass. which also offers additional support to the canvas and stretcher. Presented in a museum-quality 19th-century frame, re-gilded in 22kt gold leaf by L’Atelier Soardi, master framers and gilders based in Nice, France. Gilding done with the traditional “à l’eau” (water gilding) method, as certified by Soardi’s atelier label affixed to the reverse About the Collector: Severin Wundermann Severin Wundermann was a Belgian-born American entrepreneur and legendary collector, known for assembling the world’s largest private collection of works by Jean Cocteau and for his philanthropic contributions to art institutions in France and the U.S. His Château Montfort estate in the Côte d’Azur housed a remarkable private collection that reflected his appreciation for moral symbolism, literary narratives, and historical gravitas — qualities deeply embodied in this painting. Why This Work Matters A rare original painting by Henri Scheffer, not a reproduction A symbolic and historically resonant subject, interpreted with Romantic intensity Documented provenance including one of the 20th century’s most prominent private collectors Closely related to the canonical version in the Musée de Grenoble, which was acquired by the French state after being exhibited at the 1831 Paris Salon Investment-grade condition and presentation, ready for gallery or institutional display Literature & Documentation Original 19th-century French exhibition label affixed verso Bonhams 2010 auction label. Label from L’Atelier Soardi, Nice (re-gilding) Inscription referring to Albert Warnant provenance. Shipping & Notes : Worldwide insured delivery included.
