01 painting, The amorous game, Marcus Stone's Sain et Sauf/ Safe and Sound, with Footnotes, #94

Marcus Stone, RA (British, 1840-1921)

Sain et Sauf/ Safe and Sound, c. 1875

Oil on panel

26.3 x 39.4cm (10 3/8 x 15 1/2in)

Private collection

Sold for £4,462.50 22 November 2022

The scene depicts the joyful moment when a French soldier returns home from battle to his beloved wife who is in bed after the birth of their child; hence both husband, wife and newborn are "safe and sound". Whilst he embraces his wife, his daughter points at her new sibling and the dog tries to get closer to his master. A copy of La Patrie lies on the bed symbolising the wife's patriotism and also indicating on a more human level her fruitless search for news of her husband. Although no specific battle or date is referred to this is most likely Stone's comment on the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. Many French artists such as James-Jacques-Joseph Tissot had fled the Paris Commune of 1871 and during the 1870s London had many French refugees to whom this picture would have appealed. More on this painting

Marcus Stone RA (4 July 1840 – 24 March 1921) was an English painter. Stone was born in London, and was educated at the Royal Academy.

Marcus Clayton Stone was the son of Frank Stone ARA. Marcus was trained by his father and began to exhibit at the Royal Academy, before he was eighteen. A few years later he illustrated, with much success, books by Charles Dickens, Anthony Trollope, and other writers who were friends of his family.

Stone was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1877, and Academician in 1887. In his earlier pictures, he dealt much with historical incidents, but in his later work, he occupied himself chiefly with a particular type of dainty sentiment, treated with much charm, refinement and executive skill.

One of his canvases is in Tate. Most of his works have been engraved, and medals were awarded to him at exhibitions in all parts of the world. More on Marcus Stone

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