Both the recto and verso of this delightful double-sided sheet contain preparatory studies by Boucher for designs he produced to illustrate the writings of Molière. The recto, executed with the confident use of red chalk, is preparatory for the figure of Alcidas and corresponds very closely, in reverse, to the same figure in Laurent Cars’ engraving, titled Le Mariage forcé (fig.1). The engraving itself depicts the scene in which Sganarelle finally agrees to marry Dorimène and is set in a small room decorated with Corinthian pilasters. Sganarelle, terrified by the prospect of a duel with Dorimène's brother Alcidas, takes the young woman's hand whilst looking at Alcidas, who stands at right with two swords in one hand and his hat in the other. This exchange is watched over by Alcantor, Alcidas' and Dorimène's father, who looks on at Sganarelle approvingly.

The verso is executed in black chalk and is a preliminary study for Boucher’s figure of Tartuffe which, similarly to the recto, can be connected to an engraving by Cars, titled Le Tartuffe (fig.2). Both of Cars' engravings date to 1734, providing a terminus ante quem for the Rohatyn drawing.

We are grateful to Alastair Laing for endorsing the attribution to Boucher upon first hand inspection of the drawing, and for his assistance in the cataloging of this lot.