September Morn (Matinée de Septembre)
Painting on canvas • Paul Émile Chabas (French, 1869–1937)
Style & Movement
French Academicism / Belle Époque / Late Neoclassicism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas; academic technique utilizing glazing and soft sfumato to create a luminous, atmospheric effect
Creation Period
Completed in 1912
Dimensions & Format
Original is approximately 163.8 cm × 216.5 cm; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A nude young woman stands ankle-deep in the cold water of Lake Annecy. She is depicted in a modest pose, shivering slightly, with her arms crossed over her chest. The composition uses a muted, cool palette of greys, blues, and pale pinks to convey the crisp morning air of early autumn. The work became a 'succès de scandale' in the United States due to its nudity.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the image shows well-preserved color saturation and minimal visible surface cracking relative to age
Estimated Market Value
$1,000,000 - $2,000,000 (Market value for the primary original canvas)
Auction Estimate
$800,000 - $1,500,000
Provenance History
Originally exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1912; famously involved in a 1913 obscenity legal case in Chicago; later part of the collection of Nathan Straus and eventually Philip Lehman; gifted to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1957.
Art Historical Significance
Highly significant for its role in American censorship history and the 'Purity' movement. It represents the pinnacle of Chabas's career, winning the Prix National at the 1912 Salon. It is a landmark of early 20th-century pop culture and the debate over public morality in art.
Notable Features
Prominent signature 'Paul Chabas' in the lower left corner; displayed in a highly ornate Louis XV style gilded frame with an arched top inner slip.
Condition Issues
Possible light surface grime or aged varnish; minor edge wear consistent with the frame interface.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning of surface varnish; maintain stable humidity (45-55%) and temperature to prevent canvas expansion; UV-filtered lighting.