Lucien Guitry portrait by 'Prix de Rome' winning artist could bring $16,247

Ader of Paris's upcoming sale of the André Bernard Collection on November 17 features a fascinating portrait of one of France's greatest early-20^th century actors.

This oil on canvas, signed and dated "Paris / 98" at its lower left, was painted by Antonio Ortiz-Echagüe, the noted Argentinian painter, in 1898.

It depicts the French actor Lucien Guitry. Guitry would later rise to prominence at the Porte Saint-Martin and Variétés theatres a couple of years after this painting.

Antonio Ortiz-Echagüe's portrait of Lucien Guitry (top); and, like father like son, Sacha Guitry sits before the portrait in 1948

Ortiz-Echagüe would later win the Prix de Rome, a scholarship for arts students, in 1904.

Included in the sale is a photograph from 1948 of Lucien's son, Sacha Guitry, starring in The Comedian.

Verifying this painting's provenance, Ortiz-Echagüe's portrait of Lucien Guitry is visible in the paintings background behind Sacha sitting at his desk. Depictions of Frans Hals and a Toulouse-Lautrec are also visible.

This fascinating piece of French theatre history will undoubtedly attract bidders from both France and abroad when it auctions in November.

The work carries an €10,000-12,000 estimate ($16,247).