A Scandal


This is a watercolour on paper mounted on canvas measuring 29 3/4" x 21 1/4 " held in the Wenneker collection in the USA

One of the main features of the painting is the way Vibert has contrasted the vivid colours of the brilliant flowers in the foreground with the faded early Netherlandish fresco on the cloister wall in the background.
Whilst there was no narrative text that Vibert usually produced to go with this painting , instead he produced several spoof letters to and from a young woman enquiring about the nature of the scandal, and who offers to pay any price to obtain the work, so long as he divulges the scandal to her. Here is no known explanation as to what it really was, and Vibert keeps us guesing, demonstrating his playful sense of humour.

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