Jean-Baptiste Isabey

frame damaged

Marie-Caroline, Duchesse de Berry;
Thence by descent to the present owner

Hildegard Kremers, Marie Caroline Herzogin Von Berry, Cologne, 2002, pp. 168-170;
Patrick Guibal, Rosny au Temps de La Duchesse de Berry, in exhib. cat, Entre Cour et Jardin, Marie-Caroline, Duchesse de Berry, Musée de l'îIe-de-France, Sceaux, 2007, pp. 49-58

Sold in an Alphonse Giroux frame. The central drawing, representing the courtyard, has two small brown stains in the upper part of the drawing, the paper has discoloured towards the right hand side quite considerably. The medium remains fresh in the other drawings with some slight discolouration to the paper. The drawings are numbered on the backing in pencil.
"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."

These eleven small drawings are a unique and extremely important historical record of the appearance of the interiors of the Château de Rosny at the time when the Duchesse de Berry was living there. Not only do the scenes represent the various rooms and daily activities that took place but they provide an insight into the spontaneous personality of the Duchesse.

The Château, situated in Rosny-sur-Seine, was purchased on 14 August 1818 by Charles Ferdinand, Duc de Berry, as a summer residence and fast became the favoured location of the Duchesse who devised grand plans for its reconstruction.  Her vision was to create a residence akin to the English Country House, a more relaxed ambience in contrast to the rigid confines of the Tuileries:  Les intérieurs bénéficient d'une complete remise à neuf mais sans aucun excès, car, loin de la pompe et des ors des Tuileries, Marie Caroline entend faire de Rosny une maison à L'anglaise, confortable, largement ouverte sur la nature et où elle pourra vivre, entourée de ses proches, en savourant les plaisirs de la vie à la campagne.[1]

Isabey was a French painter and printmaker who specialised in portrait miniatures.  He was a master in the medium of watercolour and his intricate life-like portraits were highly sought after.  His artistic career was dominated by Royal patronage and in addition to this he worked for the Duchesse during her time at Rosny.  It is most probable that Isabey's eleven drawings were designs for porcelain plaquettes to be inserted into a guéridon. The Duchesse's passions are incorporated in Isabey's drawings capturing la vie quotidienne at the Château de Rosny.

 

[1] Patrick Guibal, Rosny au Temps de La Duchesse de Berry, in exhib. cat, Entre Cour et Jardin, Marie-Caroline, Duchesse de Berry, Musée de l'îIe-de-France, Sceaux, 2007, p. 49