Gaspard Dughet, called Gaspard Poussin

Louis P. Durr (1821-1880), New York;
Bequethed by his Estate to the New York Historical Society in 1882;
By whom sold, New York, Sotheby's, 12 January 1995, lot 55 (as Circle of Gaspard Dughet);

Yokohama, the Yokohama Museum of Art, Transparent Windows: Politics of Landscape, 2003, cat. no. 7, reproduced, p. 18.

Catalogue of the Gallery of Art of the New York Historical Society, New York 1915, p. 106, cat. no. D-37.

The colours in the catalogue are far too orange/brown and the painting is much cooler and more subtle in tone than it appears in the illustration. The canvas has been recently relined. The paint surface has been cleaned, restored and revarnished in recent times and the painting could be hung as it is. Inspection under ultra-violet light reveals numerous localised strengthenings to the rock formation and the arch, particularly in the shadows, as well as in an area around the dog(?) in the centre. A small T-shaped damage (4cm. approx.) has been repaired centre left and there are some minor retouchings around the classical figure in the foreground, though none of the latter affect the figure itself. Otherwise restoration is minimal, restricted mainly to the corner or edges, although an older campaign of restoration appears to have taken place in the sky (this is not immediately visible and lies beneath the present varnish). The plain gilded wooden frame has a number of superficial knocks and damages but is structurally sound.
"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."

When this painting was offered for sale in London in 2004, the attribution to Dughet was confirmed by Marie-Nicole Boisclair.¹  She publishes another version of this composition from 1656 which is at Holkham Hall, Norfolk (see M.N. Boisclair, Gaspard Dughet, Paris 1986, cat. no. 261, fig. 301).


1. Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 10 December 2004, lot 64, where unsold at £30-40,000.