- 216
Augustin Amant Constant Fidele Edouart
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
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Description
- Augustin Amant Constant Fidele Edouart
- An album of Silhouettes of ‘Irish Characters'
- Approximately one hundred and eighteen sheets, mostly double sided, with approximately seven hundred and forty-nine silhouettes, all bound in marble boards;
extensively inscribed with names of the sitters, dated between 1838 and 1839 - Album size: 360 by 273 mm
including portraits of Paddy Green; George Carvill; Robert Forster; Clementine Louise Mottez; Mr and Mrs La Moile; Robert Rogers; Eliza Garner; Marian Garner; James Behan and many more
Provenance
Presented by the artist to Eugene L'Heureux, of Calais (1831-1875);
thence by family descent
thence by family descent
Condition
In general these silhouettes are in good condition. Some have minor creases and are even missing, however overall the state of preservation is high. The album sheets have darkened slightly with age and there are occasional foxmarks.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE 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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Augustin Edouart was to gain a reputation as one of the leading silhouette artists of his generation. His great popularity saw him rise from humble beginnings in the town of Dunkerque, to his role as portraitist of many of the great personalities of his age. His work enabled him to travel extensively outside France. He travelled in England, Ireland and Scotland between 1814 and 1839, at which point he moved to the United States to work in New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Detroit. In 1849 he returned to Europe and settled in his native France.
Throughout his career, Edouart methodically made duplicates of each of his commissions, storing the silhouettes in albums such as this one. Tragically, the majority of these books were lost in a shipwreck off the coast of Guernsey. The present album is therefore extremely rare and is one of only about twenty-five that are known still to exist today.
Throughout his career, Edouart methodically made duplicates of each of his commissions, storing the silhouettes in albums such as this one. Tragically, the majority of these books were lost in a shipwreck off the coast of Guernsey. The present album is therefore extremely rare and is one of only about twenty-five that are known still to exist today.
In addition to being rich with many beautifully detailed silhouettes, this album also provides an invaluable record of the identities of many of Edouart’s clients during the period 1838-1839. It is clear that at this time he captured the likenesses of many figures from the worlds of Irish politics, military, aristocracy and church.