Victor-Marie Hugo

Estate of the artist (with the Gâtine inventory stamp and number 106/538),
by descent to his grandson, Georges Hugo,
by descent to his son, François Hugo,
by inheritance to his step-sister, Marguerite Hugo;
Private Collection;
acquired by the late owner in December 1981

New York, Jan Krugier Gallery; Geneva, Galerie Jan Krugier, Victor Hugo and The Romantic Vision, Drawings and Watercolors, 1990-91, no. 16, reproduced;
Brussels, Ixelles Museum, Victor Hugo designer, 1999, no. 22, reproduced;
Paris, Maison de Victor Hugo, Seeing Stars, 2002, no. 512, reproduced;
Weimar, Klassik Stiftung Weimar: Schiller Museum, Victor Hugo - Visions of a Writer, 2008, no. 69, reproduced

Line, light and shadow: Master Drawings and Sculptures from the Collection of Jan and Marie-Anne Krugier-Poniatowski, exh. cat., Berlin, 1999, Catalogue raisonné, p. 406, reproduced;
The Timeless Eye: Master Drawings from the Jan and Marie-Anne Krugier-Poniatowski Collection, exh. cat., Berlin 1999, p. 405, reproduced;
P. Georgel, 1850: The Burg to the Cross, Paris-Musées, 2007, p. 93, no. 61, reproduced

The sheet is not laid down and is hinged to the mat at two points along the upper edge. There is a circa 10 by 20mm area of restoration in the thick ink area near the centre of the composition and some faint cracking in the thick ink near the upper centre visible under close inspection (both supported on the reverse), some scattered old light creases primarily in the upper right corner, and a vertical old fold approximately 25mm from the left edge of the mat. The sheet has slightly browned evenly over time; the medium has remained rich and strong. Approximately the left third of the sheet is covered by the mat and there is an old puncture and some other folds in this area, however this is not part of the composition and not visible framed. Presented framed and glazed, the edges of the sheet covered by the mat and not visible framed. 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."

To be included in the Victor Hugo drawings catalogue raisonné by Pierre Georgel.