Jean-Baptiste Pillement

M. Gordon-Smith, Pillement, Cracow 2006, p. 302, under no. 309, reproduced

Shepherdess wearing a hat: Hinge mounted in the four corners and the left and right edges. This has resulted in some slight buckling to the sheet which would be resolved with rehinging. There are areas of light foxing throughout. The black chalk medium is fresh. Shepherdess in a shawl: Hing mounted as above. There is some light foxing. The medium is fresh throughout.
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.

Although Pillement's extensive oeuvre shows little significant stylistic development through the course of his long career, at least one of these two sheets can be dated fairly specifically, to within the last five years of Pillement's life.  This is thanks to the existence of another drawing by the artist, dated 1804, now in a private collection,¹ which includes a study for the shepherdess en face seen here.  Apart from the fact that the shepherdess in the present sheet wears shoes, she is otherwise almost identical, providing a terminus post quem of 1804 for the present lot.

1.  Gordon-Smith, op. cit., no. 308