A fascinating figure in Geneva's history, Dr Hippolyte-Jean Gosse (1834-1901) left a lasting impression for various reasons, particularly for his involvement in history, art, and culture. As the first director of the Musée archéologique and the Musée épigraphique de Genève, he contributed to enriching the collections of the city's museums. A great collector, Hippolyte-Jean Gosse assembled a remarkable collection of art and historical objects that drew significant attention. Upon his passing, his daughter Elisabeth Maillart (born Gosse, 1876-1936), inherited the collection, and her husband, Dr Hector Maillart (1866-1932), continued to grow the family collection. It was then their daughter, Claire Maillart (1905-1997), who took over the collection and, in 1985, deposited exactly 469 drawings at the Cabinet d'arts graphiques of the Musée d'art et d'histoire de Genève.
La Gabrielle Fine Arts SA is pleased to present a selection of 27 artworks from the Gosse-Maillart collection, demonstrating the importance of this collection to Geneva's cultural heritage. With many pieces at affordable prices, this selection is a wonderful opportunity for established as well as for novice art collectors.
The highlight of this selection is undoubtedly the Portrait of the pastor Jean-Pierre du Maine painted by Jean-Etienne Liotard (1702-1789) in 1721. A true historical piece, it is the first documented portrait signed and dated by Liotard in Geneva when the artist was only 19 years old. Among the works by foreign artists, we mention the discovery of a magnificent drawing by the French artist Charles de la Fosse (1636-1716).