Lot 11
  • 11

Albert Flamen

Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Albert Flamen
  • An album of 22 leaves, containing sketches of landscapes, riders and other figures
  • The majority of the sketches in brown ink, some with grey and brown wash;
    the sheets bound into what appears to be the original card cover, with later printed paper stuck to the outside;
    dated in brown ink, inside the back cover: Le premier septembre ao. 1679; a sheet with proportion studies inscribed: de profil / de face / de trois quarts; one of the landscapes inscribed in brown ink: Veuë des moulins sur le chemin de Vaugirard du Costé du / faulxbourg St. Germain; two perspective studies extensively inscribed; one landscape bears inscription, in a later hand: Anno 1759 / 1759

Condition

Overall condition reasonably good. Some water damage towards edges, particularly on outermost sheets of the book. Some worm holes in the first few sheets. Cover somewhat damaged in places, but general condition of the drawings themselves is good.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

In this charming working sketchbook, approximately half of the 44 available drawing surfaces have been used, for a great variety of studies (most pages are drawn on one side, a few on both sides, and a few are entirely blank).  Some sheets consist of a single landscape or scene of a cavalry skirmish, others have been used for perspective studies or relatively elaborate studies of a few heads or figures, while yet more have been entirely covered with tiny studies of figures or riders, of a type that we see everywhere in the prints of both Flamen and his guiding light, Jacques Callot.  Though born in Flanders, Flamen made his career primarily in Paris, and one of his engravings was a title-page to a series of prints by Callot, whose work he must have known intimately.  He is best known for his prints and drawings of animals, but did also work in other genres. Several albums of his drawings on a single theme are known, such as the splendid one containing 38 drawings of birds, formerly in the Marcel Jeanson collection,1 and at least three other diverse sketchbooks such as this have also survived.2

1.  Sold, Monte Carlo, Sotheby's, 16 June 1988, lot 168
2.  Sold, New York, Sotheby's, 26 January 2005, lot 144; sold New York, Sotheby's, 23 January 2001, lot 135; and Berlin, Kupferstichkabinett, inv. 79 C 1