Antique 19th Cent. Naturalist Oil Painting After Jules Breton "Les Communiantes"

This is an antique late 19th century oil on canvas painting, a large format study "after" the French naturalist painter Jules Breton. We believe this painting was done by a student or contemporary of Breton,  in homage to the original rural religious scene entitled "Les Communiantes" by Breton. The original painting was done in 1884, and we date this oil on canvas to the late 19th century, sometime before Breton's death in 1906. It is signed with the artist's initials and "after Breton" but the artist is unknown.

As is common in a study done "after" a more prominent artist, the rendition has some minor changes in order to represent itself as an homage and not as a copy. The scene is of a first communion in a rural village, with a line of communicants dressed in white. There is one communicant being presented to a seated man while some of the villagers watch the procession. In the original, the woman in the foreground standing with a child is wearing blue robes and dresses, and in this version she wears red. The energy of this painting is a naturalistic, pastoral 

realism. It likely takes place in spring, as the soft pinks, whites, and purples of budding trees and flower blossoms pepper the background energy of the scene. 

This painting is in good antique condition with age-appropriate wear. As visible from the back, there are 3 areas that have been repaired. There is one small hole in the canvas near the face of the seated figure in the painting. Overall, this painting maintains amazing vibrance and antique integrity. The frame is ornately carved gold gilt in good condition. 

The painting measures 42 inches tall and 56 inches long.