- 257
Jean-Honoré Fragonard
Estimate
35,000 - 45,000 USD
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- Jean-Honoré Fragonard
- Scene from Ariosto's Orlando Furioso: Alcina flees after being worsted in naval combat
- Black chalk, with gray and light-brown wash
Provenance
Hippolyte Walferdin, who probably bought the complete set of Fragonard's Ariosto drawings directly from the artist's family,
his sale, Paris, Hotel Drouot, 12-16 April 1880, part of lot 228 (bought by Roederer);
Louis Roederer, Rheims,
by descent to his nephew, Léon Olry-Roederer,
by whom consigned to Thos. Agnew and Sons, London, in 1922;
sold en bloc to Dr. A.S. Rosenbach, Philadelphia, who dispersed the set;
private collection, U.S.A.
his sale, Paris, Hotel Drouot, 12-16 April 1880, part of lot 228 (bought by Roederer);
Louis Roederer, Rheims,
by descent to his nephew, Léon Olry-Roederer,
by whom consigned to Thos. Agnew and Sons, London, in 1922;
sold en bloc to Dr. A.S. Rosenbach, Philadelphia, who dispersed the set;
private collection, U.S.A.
Literature
E. Mongan, P. Hofer and J. Seznec, Fragonard's Drawings for Ariosto, London 1945, p. 69, no. 60, reproduced;
Marie-Anne Dupuy-Vachey, Fragonard et le 'Roland furieux', Paris 2003, p. 204, no. 87, reproduced p. 205
Marie-Anne Dupuy-Vachey, Fragonard et le 'Roland furieux', Paris 2003, p. 204, no. 87, reproduced p. 205
Condition
Window mounted and hinged to the upper left and right corners, within black chalk framing lines. Generally in good condition, there is a very small brown stain to the upper right corner. The medium is fresh and vibrant.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
This drawing, and lot 264 below, originate from a group of over 150 drawings which Fragonard made based on the sixteenth century epic poem by Ariosto, Orlando Furioso, a complex story of combats between Christians and Saracens and of the romances of the protagonists. Fragonard clearly devoted much time to these drawings, but no printed edition with them as illustrations is known. Marie-Anne Dupuy-Vachey has suggested that they might have been commissioned by Fragonard's patron Bergeret de Grancourt or his son, Pierre Jacques. They are generally dated to the 1780s and are among his most free and lively drawings, although they are in fact very closely based on the text of the poem.
Hippolyte Walferdin (1795-1880), the first recorded owner of the Ariosto drawings, was an important French collector who owned many works by Boucher, Watteau, Greuze and Prud'hon, but had a special affinity for Fragonard.
The present drawing illustrates Canto X, verses 54-55. Here Fragonard uses the full effect of wash and energetic chalk lines to recreate the drama of the stormy sea.
Hippolyte Walferdin (1795-1880), the first recorded owner of the Ariosto drawings, was an important French collector who owned many works by Boucher, Watteau, Greuze and Prud'hon, but had a special affinity for Fragonard.
The present drawing illustrates Canto X, verses 54-55. Here Fragonard uses the full effect of wash and energetic chalk lines to recreate the drama of the stormy sea.