Antique Marie Joseph Ernest Le Nail “Cadet Roussel” French Equestrian Oil Painting - Signed

*This piece is currently undergoing professional frame restoration and will be available to ship after October 15th.

An exceptional antique equestrian oil on wood panel by French artist Marie Joseph Ernest Le Nail (1842–1927), titled Cadet Roussel. The composition centers on a finely rendered chestnut horse standing in a stable interior, painted in the sporting tradition for which Le Nail is known.

Signed lower left and titled “CADET. ROUSSEL.” at upper right, with the title also inscribed to the reverse. The restrained palette, architectural stable setting, and beautifully modeled horse give the piece an especially refined, old-world character.

Now presented in a black ebonized-style frame with a narrow gilt liner, the darker surround gives the painting considerably more presence while allowing the chestnut tones and warm straw ground to stand forward.

CONDITION
Antique condition consistent with age. The painted panel shows expected age-related surface character and tonal variation.

SIZE
12.75"W x 10.25"H painted panel

PROVENANCE
French, late 19th to early 20th century.

MAKER
Marie Joseph Ernest Le Nail
French, 1842–1927

MATERIAL
Oil on wood panel with wood frame and gilt liner.

STYLING SUGGESTION
Hang Cadet Roussel beneath an antique brass picture light in a study, library, keeping room, tack room, or equestrian-inspired gallery wall. The black frame is especially striking against olive, tobacco, oxblood, deep navy, or paneled walls, layered with leather, sporting books, dark woods, antique brass, and blue-and-white porcelain.

A particularly strong piece for anyone building a collected sporting-art wall, and equally compelling displayed alone where the horse portrait can command the room.