- 8
Jean Lecomte du Nouÿ
Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 GBP
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Description
- Jean Lecomte du Nouÿ
- The Sentinel
- signed and dated LECOMTE. DU. NOUY. 77 lower left
- oil on canvas
- 38.5 by 30cm., 15 by 12in.
Provenance
M. Köhn collection
Private collection, Canada
Private collection, Canada
Literature
Guy de Montgailhard, Catalogue des oeuvres de Lecomte du Nouÿ, Paris, 1906, no. 121 or 122 (Garde du temple à Jerusalem or A la porte d'une mosquée), translated into English in From Homer to the Harem: The Art of Jean Lecomte du Nouÿ, New York, 2004, p. 166
Condition
The canvas has been relined. There is a very fine pattern of stable craquelure throughout and two very small spots of rubbing in the stonework in the lower left corner. Ultra-violet light shows an even layer of varnish and no visible sign of retouching. The work is in good condition and ready to hang.
Presented in a decorative gilt frame with a beige inner slip.
"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
Lecomte du Nouÿ trained under Charles Gleyre and Jean-Léon Gerôme, and his meticulous style epitomises French academic teaching. Though a technique more commonly associated with French history painting, here the artist applies it to a contemporary Islamic subject and in the name of verisimilitude. The sentinel's Ottoman weapons are observed so faithfully that the artist must have seen them in the original, from the chibouk with its gilt tophane bowl and mouthpiece and lavender enamelled shaft; to the curved shamshir sword with its horn hilt; and the flintlock rifle with its ivory butt plate.
An engraving of this work by M. Rapine is held at the Musée d’art et d’archéologie d’Aurillac, France (82.13.200).
An engraving of this work by M. Rapine is held at the Musée d’art et d’archéologie d’Aurillac, France (82.13.200).