c.1872-78 Oil on board signed "VT" on bottom right part with a readable "7…" digit. Provenance : Private collection of a Bourgeois family of the south of Paris. Thirion painted in a distinctively salon style, inherited from Bouguereau’s classical style. It was fitting that the last painting he sold was to the Museum of Langres in his home town titled Apres l'ecole. In addition, his Portrait d’enfant can be seen in the city of Lille whom gave him the ability to move to Paris. His works rarely comes up at auction and therefore his name among collectors is less known, but he is an artist worthy to note. His works, though few they are, remain some of the best created by one of Bouguerau's students. Considering that Bouguereau himself did not start painting his best work until the age of 40, it could well be expected that if Thirion had lived, he could have become one of the greatest artists of his generation. Rare opportunity.