Portrait of a French officer – Oil on canvas signed "Cavalli", 1905

Exceptional antique portrait depicting a French officer in full uniform, dated 1894 and signed at the bottom left "H. Cavalli". The painting was found in the cellar of a family townhouse in Montpellier, where it had been kept for several generations. We simply dusted it off while organising our cellar, so it has evidently been in this condition for decades. The signature "H. Cavalli" is particularly interesting: Enrico Cavalli (1849-1919) frequently signed his works "H. Cavalli", with the "H" referring to Henri, the French form of his name Enrico, used at the time due to his artistic training in France, particularly in Lyon. Cavalli's works are evidently rare on the market. Research conducted allows us to identify the person depicted as Léon Lombard, a senior officer of the 111th infantry regiment and brother-in-law of the last owner. The painting was accompanied by period documents concerning this individual, enhancing its historical interest and provenance. Characteristics. Artist: attributed to Enrico Cavalli (1849-1919) Signature: "H. Cavalli" Date: 1894. Technique: oil on canvas. Subject: portrait of a French officer (Léon Lombard) Provenance: found in the cellar of a family townhouse. A rare painting likely to interest collectors of late 19th-century Italian painting, enthusiasts of military portraits, and collectors of the Val Vigezzo school. Additional photos and documentary files available upon request.