A major work by French academy painter Edouard Joseph Dantan (1846-97), unseen for over a century, has emerged at an auction in Colchester.
Hercule aux pieds à Omphale (Hercules at the feet of Omphale) was discovered in the stairwell of a “modest home” in Suffolk, according to auctioneers Reeman Dansie. It will be offered with a £30,000-50,000 estimate on June 20-21.
The large classical scene in a period gilt gesso frame was exhibited at The Paris Salon in 1874, where it was awarded a third-class medallion.