Charles-Louis Clérisseau

Sale, London, Sotheby's, 29 May 1975, lot 75, purchased by Ralph Holland

Fixed to cardboard backing in the corners. Slightly abraded at the extreme edges, and one or two other extremely small losses, but generally in very good, fresh condition. Sold in a modern wooden frame.
"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."

Although Clérisseau produced works of this type throughout his extremely long career, perhaps the most comparable in style to the present example are certain gouaches dated in the 1770s, at which time the artist was living and working in Russia.  The composition is one that Clérisseau executed a number of times, with only slight variations; one of the closest to the present work is the fine gouache, dated 1781, in the Hermitage, in which the absence of the upper part of the background arch is the only really signifcant difference.¹ 

As Mr. Holland recorded in his notes, there are also clear compositional similarities with a drawing by Hubert Robert, formerly on the New York art market,² and both works reflect the enduring impact of Panini.

1.  St. Petersburg, Hermitage, inv. 16927; see Charles-Louis Clérisseau (1721-1820), Dessins du musée de l'Ermitage, Saint-Petersbourg, exhib. cat., Paris, Louvre, and St. Petersburg, Hermitage, 1995-96, no. 56, and front cover
2.  Sale, New York, Christie's, 11 January 1994, lot 309