L14040

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Lot 70
  • 70

Jean-Baptiste Pater

Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Jean-Baptiste Pater
  • A young lady, reclining, seen from behind, her head turned in profile
  • Red chalk;
    bears an old attribution in black chalk, verso: Watteau, and numbering in black chalk on the mount, verso: 3

Provenance

Marquis Philippe de Chennevières,
his sale, Paris, Hôtel Drouot, 5-6 May 1898, lot 195 (as A. Watteau, Femme assise vue de dos, for 2500 francs);
Georges Dormeuil (L.1146a),
by descent to the present owners

Condition

Laid down on paper and window mounted. There is some slight discoloration to the sheet evident where the mount currently covers the edges of the sheet. There are some light brown stains and surface dirt to the sheet and some very minor foxing. The red chalk medium is still fresh throughout. Sold in an elaborate 19th Century French giltwood 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."

Catalogue Note

This recently rediscovered work by Jean-Baptiste Pater had long been identified as the work of his master Jean Antoine Watteau, and was sold as such in 1898 by the celebrated French collector and art historian Philippe de Chennevières. 

Linked directly to Pater’s painting Le dénicheur de moineaux (Fig. 1), now in the collection of the Musée de Valenciennes, this delicate red chalk study of seated woman looking over her right shoulder is undoubtedly preparatory for the woman on the far left of the composition.