Nicolas Poussin

See introduction to lots 30-40;
Probably from an album of drawings offered for sale in 1678 by Jean Dughet

Excellent. Some crinkling at top and bottom due to attachment to original mount, still there
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.

See note to preceding lot.

This is Poussin's original which is copied in the Album de Louviers and the Carnet de Rome.  In the former it appears on page 37 with four other elements, two of which are taken from a Poussin original now in the Musée Bonnat, Bayonne.  In the latter it appears on page 4 with two different motifs of which Poussin's originals are not yet known.¹

Poussin drew many altars of this type, generally based on illustrations in  the second volume of the Galleria Giustiniani, a collection of engravings after objects in the collection of the Marchese Vincenzo Giustiniani, published around 1636-37.²  However, the classical prototype of this example has not been identified

1.  P. Rosenberg, 'Un ensemble de copies de dessins d'après l'Antique de Poussin,' Studiolo, no. 4, 2006, p. 139, reproduced p. 153; p. 141, reproduced p. 164

2.  See, for example, P. Rosenberg and L.-A. Prat, Nicolas Poussin, Catalogue raisonné des dessins, Milan 1994, vol. 1, pp. 458-466, nos. 233-237