Carle Vernet

Sale, Monaco, Sotheby's, 26 November 1979, lot 580;
with Bernard Houthakker, Amsterdam, April 1980, from whom acquired by H.W de Groot

Overall in very good condition, the medium remains extremely fresh and colors strong. Some scattered fox marks, mainly concentrated above the group of figures on the left. Remains of an old window mount around the margins.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Carle Vernet, although an accomplished artist in many genres, was most renowned for his depictions of everyday and sporting life.  He had a keen eye for human behaviour and delighted in capturing the stereotypes of his time and highlighting the humorous elements of national characteristics.  Here a group of English tourists to France are observed with sarcasm.  The temporary peace in 1814 allowed more English to travel across the Channel, and many French artists closely scrutinized their behaviour and their attire in satirical compositions and caricatures. 

Vernet treated the subject of the English in Paris in another watercolor that was with Hazlitt, Gooden and Fox in 2003 and which was lent to an exhibition at the Tate.¹

Sold with a print titled Oh! C'est bien ça. executed after Vernet's drawing.  Another impression of the print is in the British Museum (inv. 2003,0531.30) and it is recorded in their inventory as being by Charles François Gabriel Levachez.  The popularity of these satirical subjects and humorous compositions made them ideal subjects for prints, for which the demand was very high.

1.  Constable to Delacroix, exhib. cat., London, Tate Britain, 2003, pp. 52-53, cat. 4, reproduced