Oil on canvas, signed and dated 1969 at lower right, presented in a period composition frame with linen liner.

Frame dimensions 29 1/2 x 40 in.

Alois Lecoque was born in Prague as Alois Kahout. He adopted the "Lecoque" surname while living and studying in Paris just before the outbreak of World War I. In Paris he studied at the Academie Julian and befriended some of the greatest artists of the 20th century, including August Renoir, Maurice Utrillo, Amedeo Modigliani and Chaim Soutine. This painting references his friendship with Renoir by featuring a copy of Lecoque's book, Renoir, My Friend, published in 1968, in the tabletop vignette.

Between the world wars, Lecoque led a bohemian existence of a bon vivant. He traveled throughout Europe and North Africa, participating in numerous exhibitions and garnering a following of collectors for his colorful post impressionist style of painting.

His support of an assassination attempt against Mussolini forced him to immigrate to the United States in 1951. He received an American citizenship, finally settling in California.

Minor stable craquelure; minor stress cracks and some loss to frame.