CHARLES MICHEL ANGE CHALLE FRENCH 1718 1778 OIL ON CANVAS 37 57 PSYCHE SLEEPING .

CHARLES MICHEL-ANGE CHALLE (FRENCH 1718-1778), OIL ON CANVAS, H 37", W 57 1/2", "PSYCHE SLEEPING".

This painting represents Psyche asleep on garlands of poppies. Three cherubs raise the veil of the night; she lays her head down on her left arm, bends back, her chest and right leg uncovered. In gilt gesso frame, 64 inches long by 47.5 inches tall. Signed lower right. Charles Michel Ange Challe held the first prize in painting and was professor at the Academy, draftsman of the cabinet of the King and Knight of the Order of Saint Michael. He worked a lot with Francois Boucher. This comes from the Bouilly Collection, Paris. Previously this was part of the decoration of the Chateau de Choisy, a royal residence. The chateau had been decorated by Francois Boucher for the Marquise de Pompadour; and was then purchased by Victor Thornville, Esq. of London, in 1917.