Jacques-André Portail

The Comte de Gabriac;
anonymous sale, Paris, 6 March 1899, lot 84,
acquired at the sale by Georges Dormeuil (L.1146a),
thence by descent to the present owners

London, Royal Academy of Arts, Exhibition of French Art 1200-1900, 1932, no. 732;
Copenhagen, palais de Charlottenburg, L'Art française du XVIII^e siècle, 1935, no. 482 

J. Guiffrey and P. Marcel, Société de Reproduction des Dessins de Mâitres, III, Paris 1911, pl. 19;
X. Salmon, Jacques-André Portail, Cahier du Dessin Français no. 10, Paris 1996, p. 20, no. 39, reproduced p. 65

Paper rather browned throughout, except for a number of small spots, all distributed towards the edges of the sheet, where for some reason the paper has not discoloured. Hinged to backing at left edge. Chalk and black lead still very good and strong - not rubbed. Sold in a fine 19th-century carved and gilded 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."

Like lot 54, above, this is one of Portail's most beautiful and accomplished drawings, in which he comes particularly close in style to Watteau.  In this case, though, there is another dimension to this stylistic proximity, in that here Portail has made extensive use of graphite in combination with red chalk.  As noted in relation lot 55, Watteau used graphite increasingly frequently towards the end of his life, taking full advantage of the additional visual possibilities offered by adding this medium to the traditional trois crayons, and combining the four pigments in various ways. 

Although Portail does not here employ either black or white chalk, the combination of red chalk and graphite is very sophisticated, creating an image of great visual interest and depth.