Eugène LOUP (1867-1948) Portrait of Emma Calvé in stage costume Pencil and white highlights on paper, dedicated upper left and signed "à Emma Calvé en hommage admiratif d'Eugène Loup". 62x43cm This original drawing depicts Emma Calvé in the role of Carmen, arguably the most emblematic of her career, which she performed more than 3,000 times worldwide. The work is signed and dedicated by Eugène Loup, a pupil of Benjamin-Constant, a former resident of Villa Médicis and a popular portraitist at the end of the 19th century. Kept among the singer's personal souvenirs, this portrait bears witness to the artist's direct and admiring homage. The choice of depicting her as Carmen, a role with which she is forever associated, lends the work an iconic value. It's possible that this drawing was based on a famous full-length photograph that appeared on the cover of several biographical works, or on autographed photo cards, which were very popular with artists at the time to maintain their public image. Emma Calvé, like Sarah Bernhardt, Réjane and Titta Ruffo, used them extensively. In her château in Cabrières, Aveyron, she also kept a full-length portrait by Benjamin-Constant, dated 1898, now in the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Nice. One of the painter's major works, it is said to have inspired Hergé's Castafiore character. Emma Calvé's story is that of the greatest voice on the French opera scene, from 1892 to 1920. Received by the crowned heads, loved by Massenet, surrounded by Sarah Bernhardt, Isidore de Lara and Reynaldo Hahn, she marked her era with her talent, beauty, passion and excess.