Théodore Géricault

Coutan-Hauguet-Schubert-Milliet collection, Paris (L.464);
sale, Paris, Hôtel Drouot, 16-17 December 1889;
Henri Lapauze, Paris;
sale, Paris, Hôtel Drouot, 22 April 1931, lot 205 (as Etude pour le taleau: Le four à plâtre);
Pierre Olivier Dubaut, Paris (L.2103b);
sale, Paris, de Nicolay, 4 April 2001, lot 18, purchased by the late owner

Paris, Galerie Maurice Gobin, Dessins, aquarelles et gouaches par Géricault, 1935, no. 65;
Paris, Galerie Bernheim Jeune, Géricault, peintre et dessinateur, 1937, no. 169;
Paris, Galerie Bignou, Géricault cet inconnu...Aquarelles, gouaches, dessins, 1950, no. 75 (as Fabrique de pierres artificielles);
Winterthur, Kunstmuseum, Théodore Géricault, 1953, no. 221 (as Fabrique de pierres artificielles);
Paris, Galerie Aubry, Géricault dans les collections privées françaises, 1964, no. 84, reproduced (as Fabrique de pierres artificielles)

G. Bazin, Théodore Géricault, Etude critique, documents et catalogue raisonné, Paris, 1992, vol. V, pp. 77, 231-232, no. 1712, recto reproduced;
Géricault, exh. cat., Paris 1991, p. 392, mentioned with no. 245;
Géricault, la folie d'un monde, exh. cat., Lyon, 2006, p. 216, fig. 168, reproduced

The sheet has not been laid down, and is instead hinged to the mat along the upper edge. There is some scattered staining along the lower edge, in the lower right corner (visible in the catalogue illustration), and in a spot and fine line in the lower left of the verso. In the sky there are some small signs of light surface abrasion and possible traces of white applied to foxing, which are not visually distracting. The watercolour is strong and fresh. Presented framed and glazed on both sides, the edges of the sheet covered by the mat on each side. For any questions regarding this lot please contact Richard Lowkes in the 19th Century European Paintings department on 020 7293 5477.
"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."

Executed circa 1819-20, the present work relates to Géricault's larger oil Le Four à plâtre, now in the Louvre.