A richly detailed 19th Century French academic painting by Charles Alexandre Coessin de la Fosse (1829-1910), depicting a flamboyant cavalier examining his newly forged blade inside a blacksmith’s workshop. The scene is alive with contrasts: the cavalier, resplendent in crimson breeches, feathered hat and gold-trimmed doublet contemplates the work of the swordsmith, who stands poised with hammer and anvil. Behind them, glowing coals and the bustle of assistants suggest the drama of arms and craft.

Cousin de la Fosse specialized in historical genre scenes, particularly cavaliers, guardsmen and theatrical depictions of Old Regime life. His canvases balance academic finish with a keen eye for costume and narrative detail, and The New Blade is an exemplary composition within that tradition.

The painting measures 22” x 18” and overall with the gilt frame, measures 34” x 30 1/4”.

Provenance:

Christie’s South Kensington, British and Continental Pictures, 5 December 1996, Lot 150 (*sold for £4,705 ($7800) with premium; copy of original receipt included)

Condition:

Oil on canvas, stable condition, some diagonal cracking of paint on upper left and right, canvas slightly slack. Lively surface with minor retouching visible under UV (as typical for age). Presented in an ornate giltwood frame of 19th Century style, enhancing its decorative and historical appeal. Frame has had minor repair and retouching.

Artist Biography:

Charles Alexandre Coëssin de la Fosse (1829-1910) was a French painter trained in Paris under François-Édouard Picot and Thomas Couture, who exhibited regularly at the Paris Salon from 1857 onward and won a medal in 1873. Best known for his historical and genre scenes, often infused with Catholic and royalist themes, he worked in an academic style marked by clear composition, dramatic narrative and richly detailed costume. His works are represented in several French museums, including Bayeux, Lisieux, and Cholet, and he remains valued today for his finely executed evocations of France’s past.

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