Jacques-Louis David

For Album 10:
Jules David (L.1437) and Eugène David (L.839),
David sale, Paris, 17 April 1826, part of lot 66 (unsold);
David sale, Paris, 11 March 1835, lot 16;
sale, Paris, 4-5 April 1836, part of lot 164;
Paris, M. Chassagnole, 1860;
Paris, Jules David, 1882;
Paris, Marquis and Marquise de Ludre,
their sale, Paris, Galerie Charpentier, 15 March 1956, part of lot 11 (unsold),
by descent to Marquise du Lau d'Allemans and Comtesse de Chaumont-Quitry,
from whom bought by Germain Seligman, Jacques Seligman and Co., New York, by whom the album was dismembered;
This drawing:
sale, London, Christie's, 7 July 1959, part of lot 47(2), purchased by Ralph Holland

Newcastle, 1964, no. 90

P. Rosenberg and L.-A. Prat, Jacques-Louis David 1748-1825, Catalogue raisonné des dessins, Milan 2002, vol. I, p. 678, no. 1025, reproduced

Hinged on a modern mount. Good condition. Some small stains along top edge.
"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."

This is a copy after the chiaroscuro painting, by a pupil of Raphael, in the Stanza della Segnatura in the Vatican, under Raphael's Parnassus.  David's copy after the flanking grisaille, Alexander the Great placing the works of Homer in Achilles' tomb, was sold New York, Christie's, 26 January 2012, lot 122 (Rosenberg and Prat, op. cit., p. 677, no. 1023).

David was in Rome from 1775 to 1780, during which time he made many drawings after works of art of all periods which he studied in the city.  On his return to Paris he mounted them in several albums, organized by subject.  He kept the albums in his studio until his death, at which time his sons, Jules and Eugène, broke up the albums and composed them into 12 different albums, probably to make them more saleable.  At this time they put their paraphes on the drawings to establish their authenticity.  Although two albums went to the Louvre, the others seem to have remained in the family.  For an extremely impressive and comprehensive discussion of the composition and history of the albums, see Rosenberg and Prat, op. cit., vol. 1, pp. 391-407.  This drawing comes from Album 10 which was dismembered in 1958 by Germain Seligman.  Rosenberg and Prat believe it was made up of 72 drawings and 15 counterproofs, stuck on 23 pages.¹
See also lots 339 and 343.

1.  Rosenberg and Prat, op. cit., p. 673