Jacques-Émile BLANCHE (Paris, 1861 - Offranville, 1942) Presumed portrait of René Vallery-Radot with an old poodle, 1891 Oil on canvas. Signed, dated and dedicated lower right: "to P. Dôle / his student and friend / 91 J.E. Blanche". 42 x 51,1 cm Bibliography : - Roberts Jane, Jacques-Emile Blanche, Montreuil, Gourcuff Gradenigo, 2012, reproduced p. 96. - Jane Roberts and Muriel Molines, Jacques-Émile Blanche, Catalogue raisonné online, www.jeblanche-catalogue.com, reproduced as RM 811. René Vallery-Radot (1853-1933) was the son-in-law and biographer of Louis Pasteur. This picture was painted either in Dieppe, at the Blanche's home, or in Saint-Aubin. Through the dedication, "his pupil and friend", the artist pays homage to the great man and to the artistic ambitions of his youth, while taking sides with Dôle. If he remains a mystery, the old poodle nevertheless seems to be the real subject of the painting. For Pasteur, at the end of his long career, did not the animal prevail over man? From 1879 onwards, there was not a single case of rabies that he was not aware of. "Poodle and bulldog in full access. Come!", telegraphs his veterinary friend Jean-Aimé Bourrel. And to add: [CR}" It is in this veterinarian's basement and at the sight of this formidable tête-à-tête that Mr. Pasteur appeared to me the greatest." (R. Rosset, Pasteur and veterinarians in Bulletin de la Société française de la médecine et de la science vétérinaire, n°2, 2003, p.15).