An anecdotal history painter and a founder of the Société des Aquarellistes, Vibert is best known for his mildly satiric paintings of clerics enjoying their leisure time, a genre that was hugely popular among American collectors. The distinctive red used for the cardinals' garments was even referred to as “Vibert red.” He was also a technical innovator and published a tome devoted to “The Science of Painting” in 1892.
This head of a cardinal in the Roman Catholic church evokes one of Vibert's favorite themes: scenes of bibliophilic cardinals encountering precious tomes. In his 1902 magnum opus Comédie en peinture, Vibert devoted a chapter to "books and art works." Here, the cardinal sits, eyes closed, as depicted in exacting detail by the artist.
Signed "J. G. Vibert" and dated "1880".
Thayer, John M. (John MacLane), 1944-2004, former owner.