Attributed to Jacques-Ignace de Latouche

Eugène Rodrigues (L.897);
sale, 24 March 1909, lot 100 (as Cornelis Troost)

Laid down, definitely around all the edges but apparently not across the entire sheet, and with a mount stuck down so as to cover the edges of the sheet. Some foxing throughout. Minor tears, wrinkles and losses towards edge, but otherwise in reasonably good condition. Sold in a carved and gilded frame.
"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."

This is the design, in reverse, for the frontispiece to the first edition of Antoine-Joseph Dezallier d'Argenville's Abrégé de la vie des plus fameux peintres, published in two volumes by De Bure in Paris in 1745.  The engraved frontispiece by Etienne Fessart credits the design to "Latouche", which would fit with the monogram on the present drawing; the Latouche in question was probably Jacques-Ignace de Latouche, known as Chevalier Latouche, an author, scholar and dilettante artist who is recorded as having made several allegorical paintings. Here, the artist depicts a pantheon of portraits of the great Italian masters, including Leonardo, Raphael and Michelangelo.   Dezallier d'Argenville's fundamental publication acquired an additional third volume in 1752, and appeared in a full second edition in 1762, with a different frontispiece, designed by Boucher. 

The text below the engraved image reads: 

Un génie présente aux muses de l'histoire et de la peinture, le livre de la vie des fameux peintres; elles ordonnent à d'autres génies d'attacher les médaillons de ces grands hommes à la piramide élevée à leur gloire, pour leur assurer l'immortalité, que la renommée à soin de publier et dont un génie, qui tient un phoenix, est le vray symbole: la statue de la nature orne le piedestal sur lequel la muse de la peinture est appuyée.