A Portrait of Jean Joseph Dumon, Oil on Canvas, Unknown Artist: A large, lovely, oil on canvas painting, depicting a realistic portrait of Jean Joseph Dumon, one of the most notable flutists of the 19th century. The painting measures 485mm (w) x 730mm (h), the reverse presents two hooks with two wires for hanging, hairline cracks in paint visible upon close inspection, and remains in extremely fine condition.
Contained in a modern wooden frame, measuring 590mm (w) 865mm (l) x 50mm (d). Accompanied by a set of framed medals awarded to Dumon including: An Order of Leopold, Knight, in silver gilt with multicoloured enamels, obverse inscription reads “L’UNION FAIT LA FORCE” worn on original ribbon, enamel chips to wreath, remains in near very fine condition.
A Belgian Civil Decoration, I Class, in silver gilt, obverse bears “LL” monogram, worn on original ribbon, light gilt wear, in very fine condition. A Chevalier de Bayard Cross, in silver gilt with blue, white and red enamels, obverse inscription “SANS PEUR ET SANS REPROCHE”, surmounting crown, worn on original ribbon, notable enamel chips, in very fine condition.
A Cross of the French Relief Society for the Wounded in Land and Sea Weapons, a bronze Geneva cross with the obverse inscription “SOCIÉTÉ FRANÇAISE DE SECOURS AUX BLESSÉS DES ARMÉES DE TERRE ET DE MER 1870 1871”, worn on original ribbon, in very fine condition. All secured to a velvet blue background with small velvet plaque reading JEAN JACQUES DUMON 1829-1889 [incorrectly merging Jean Joseph and his father, Jacques Jean], contained in a wooden frame measuring 305mm (w) x 460mm (l) x 40mm (d), reverse has been covered in a canvas, in fine condition.
Footnote: Jean-Joseph Dumon was one of the most notable flutists in the nineteenth century. He was born on December 10, 1829 in Ostende, Belgium. His father, Jacques Jean Dumon was also a musician, and choirmaster at several churches, including Saint Anne and Saint Gilles in Bruges. Jean Joseph quickly took to the flute, beginning at the age of 8 and playing concerts by 1840. In 1848, at the age of 19, he was awarded the first prize in flute at the Conservatory of Brussels, which launched him into success.
He was taught by revered flutist Egide Aerts from 1848-1853 and also received lessons from the legendary Louis Drouet. From then on, Dumon played concerts around England, Ireland and Scotland and was later invited to Germany to play in front of the King and Queen. Since 1857, Dumon had been a professor at the Conservatory of Brussels and was awarded the Knight of the Order of Leopold in 1865. From 1875-1877, he was a second conductor of the Kursaalorkest in Ostend. Considered one of the best Belgian flutists of his generation, several concertos were written for him, notably by Hanssens, Fetis and Benoit. He remained a teacher at the Conservatory until his death in 1889, due to heart disease.