Lot 205
  • 205

François Hubert Drouais

Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 GBP
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Description

  • François Hubert Drouais
  • Portrait of the Marquis de Briges, aged seven
  • signed and dated lower left: Drouais 1768
  • oil on canvas, oval

Provenance

By descent in the family of the sitter;
By whom sold, Paris, Sotheby's, 25 June 2003, lot 37, for 87,000 euros (hammer);
With Adam Williams and Verner Amell (according to a label on the reverse);
Anonymous sale, Munich, Hampel, 8 December 2006, lot 323, for 89,000 euros (hammer).

Exhibited

Paris, Gazette des Beaux-Arts, De Watteau à Prud'hon, 11-31 May 1956, no. 26.

Condition

The canvas has been lined, the paint surface is clean, and the varnish is even and only slightly discoloured. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals retouching around the edge of the oval, most notably on the left and right sides, and upper centre. There are smaller, more minor areas of retouching in the boy's sleeves, and some very finely-painted small spots and lines of retouching to reduce the appearance of tiny areas of craquelure in the boy's chin and cheek. In overall very good condition.
"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

The sitter has long been identified as the Marquis de Briges, and it seems a label on the reverse identifying him as such has since been removed. Given that it was painted in 1768, it must depict Christophe Joseph, Comte de Briges de Malbec de Montjoc (1761–1795). He was premier écuyer en la Grande Ecurie. He died just twenty days after his father in 1795, and this painting remained in his family's possession until its first appearance on the market in 2003.