- 333
Jean-Baptiste Pater
Description
- Jean-Baptiste Pater
- figures resting in a military encampment;figures in a military encampment with a horseman directing troops
- the former signed lower right: Pater fecit
- a pair, both oil on panel
Provenance
With Thomas Agnew and Sons, London;
Mrs. Meyer Sassoon, widow of Mr Meyer Sassoon (1855 - 1924), Pope's Manor, Bracknell, Berkshire;
Thence by descent.
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
Jean Baptiste Pater's military fantasies were essentially loosely derived from Flemish models and from his master Watteau's exploration of the genre of the camp scene. Pater however went on to excel in this particular field and his military scenes developed a unique charm. Pater himself rated these as amongst his most successful composition and chose his Soldiers Celebrating, Paris, Louvre (see F. Ingersoll-Smouse, Pater, Paris 1928, pp. 69, 161, no. 397, fig. 108), as his reception piece for the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture in 1728.
As with his fêtes champêtres Pater often painted these camp scenes as pairs. Compositionally the present pair are very close to those previously in the collection Tabourier, Paris (see F. Ingersoll-Smouse, Pater, Paris 1928, pp. 70, 73, 167, nos. 415, 457, figs 176 and 178). Another version of the former was sold Paris, Petit, 6 June 1912, lot 171 which, like the Tabourier version, includes an extra figure around the cooking pot at the left. Another version of the latter was in the Sussman sale, Paris, Petit, 18-19 May 1922, lot 47.
Mrs Meyer Sassoon's collection included some notable French 18th century paintings. A number of these were sold in these Rooms by her daughter, Mrs Derek FitzGerald, on 3rd July 1963, including Largillière's celebrated La Belle Strasbourgeoise (lot 5).