Lot 126
  • 126

Louis-Jean Desprez

Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 GBP
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Description

  • Louis-Jean Desprez
  • Design for a stage set: The Temple of Neptune
  • Pen and black ink and watercolour, over traces of black chalk;
    bears inscription, verso: Decoration pour Le Temple de Neptune / inventé et Dessiné par Desprez architecte du Roi de Suède / 1792 and further inscribed below, in graphite: (Desprez(1743-1804)

Provenance

Mme. Dupuis, Paris;
with Jean de Cayeux, Galerie Cailleux (L.4461);
Claus Virch

Exhibited

New York, New York Cultural Center, Collectors Anonymous; Four Private New York Collections, 1972

Literature

L. Hautecoeur, 'Un dessin de Desprez, architecte', L'Architecture, vol. XXXVIII, no. 19, October 1925, pp. 351-2, reproduced

Condition

Laid down on card, which in turn has been partially hinge mounted. The sheet has discoloured somewhat and there is evidence of light foxing and surface dirt throughout, most notably to the area of sky. There are some areas of abrasion to the sheet, particularly to its extremities and a number of old repairs to the sheets edges, most notably to the centre right, lower left and upper left edges. There is also an old crease mark to the lower right corner, an old repaired tear to the lower left quarter and an old pin prick hole to the lower right corner. The medium itself is still relatively fresh and the image strong, throughout this impressive work.
"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

Desprez studied in Paris under the draughtsman and engraver Charles Nicolas Cochin.  His early work shows the influence of the etchings of Stefano della Bella and Jacques Callot.  Shortly after being awarded the Grand Prix de Rome in 1777, he was commissioned to help with the illustrations to the Abbé de Saint-Non's Voyage Pittoresque, ou description des royaumes de Naples et de Sicile, along with a number of other young French artists, including Claude-Louis Châtelet (see lot 146).

In 1783 Desprez's work was brought to the attention of the Swedish King, Gustav III, who was looking for someone to take charge of the stage decorations for the historical dramas he was then planning.  The King made Desprez an extremely generous offer, and the artist moved to Sweden in 1784.  There, despite initially primitive working conditions and much resentment from the resident Swedish artists, his first designs for the première performance of Queen Christina were a sensation, and for ten years he continued to produce magnificent set designs, architectural plans and historical paintings.  Following the assassination of King Gustav in 1792 Desprez's fortunes declined and his attempts to obtain commissions from other European courts failed.  He died in penniless obscurity in 1804.

Although we have not been able to connect the present work securely with one of Desprez's theatrical projects, the drawing itself is extremely impressive, both in composition and technique.  The theatricality and inventiveness of design throughout is typical of the extraordinary imagination and revolutionary ability that Desprez possessed to transform the stage into a vast and magnificent panorama.  A very comparable design of this type by Desprez was sold, New York, Sotheby's, 13 January 1993 (lot 134), and others featured in the 1992 Stockholm exhibition of the artist's work.1

1.  Stockholm, Nationalmuseum, Louis Jean Desprez, Tecknare, Theaterkonstnär, Arkitekt, 1992, pp. 65-96