After Ingres, 'La Source'
19th-century Engraving
Original 19th century frame,
Size of Work: 18 x 14 cm
Framed: 50*37
Condition Report: Substantial age-related ware to the frame as viewed from the pictures. Body of the work is in perfect aged condition.

The Spring (French: La Source) is an oil painting on canvas by French neoclassical painter Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres. The work was begun in Florence around 1820 and not completed until 1856, in Paris. When Ingres completed The Source, he was seventy-six years old, already famous, and president of the École des Beaux-Arts. The pose of the nude may be compared with that of another by Ingres, the Venus Anadyomene (1848), and is a reimagination of the Aphrodite of Cnidus or Venus Pudica. Two of Ingres' students, painters Paul Balze and Alexandre Desgoffe, helped to create the background and water jar.

The painting depicts a nude standing upright between an opening in the rocks and holding in her hands a pitcher, from which water flows. She thus represents a water source or spring which, in classical literature, is sacred to the Muses and

On the back, the framer's label Maison Spéciale d'Encadrements et Estampes Modernes d'Angleterre| | Rue de Seine, 40 and 42 | and rue de l'Échaudé, 1.

Maison Spéciale d'Encadrements et Estampes Modernes d'Angleterre (M.S.E.M.A.) was a renowned Parisian store that specialized in high-quality framing and the sale of modern prints. The store was located in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighbourhood of Paris, at Rue de Seine, 40 and 42, and Rue de l'Échaudé, 1. M.S.E.M.A. was founded sometime in the 18th century by a British family, although the specific founder(s) remain unknown.

M.S.E.M.A. quickly gained a reputation for its exceptional framing, using only the highest quality materials, such as gilt frames, velvet, and silk matting. The store's skilled framers would craft custom frames to perfectly complement each individual artwork. In addition to framing, M.S.E.M.A. sold a wide range of modern prints, including works by famous artists such as Manet, Degas, and Renoir.

M.S.E.M.A.'s reputation for excellence soon made it a favorite of collectors, dealers, and museums. The store's client list included many of the most prominent art collectors and dealers of the time, as well as museums and galleries seeking to acquire works for their collections. M.S.E.M.A.'s reputation for exceptional customer service and attention to detail made it a sought-after destination for those seeking the best in framing and art.

Throughout the 20th century, M.S.E.M.A. remained a fixture in the Parisian art world, continuing to attract a wide range of clientele. The store's reputation for excellence was passed down from generation to generation, and it remained a trusted source for high-quality framing and modern prints. Today, M.S.E.M.A. is remembered as a historic and important part of the Parisian art scene, a testament to the enduring legacy of its founders and the skilled framers who worked there over the years.