- 139
Jean-Michel Moreau, called Moreau Le Jeune
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Jean-Michel Moreau, called Moreau Le Jeune
- Recto: A costume design for Oreste in "Iphigénie en Tauride"verso: A further costume design for Sythe
- Pen and brown ink and watercolour (recto); graphite (verso);
signed and dated, upper left, recto: J. M. mor. Le j 1781. and inscribed, lower centre: ORÉSTE / Le manteau de Satin bleu, Cuirasse en fer. Le même habit pour / Pilade, mais plus Simple & les couleurs différentes.
Provenance
Edmond and Jules de Goncourt (L.1089),
their sale, Paris, Hôtel Drouot, 15-17 February 1897, part of lot 197;
Eugène Féral, Paris,
his sale, Paris, Hôtel Drouot, 22-24 April 1901, part of lots 224-9;
sale, New York, Christie's, 22 January 2003, part of lot 75
their sale, Paris, Hôtel Drouot, 15-17 February 1897, part of lot 197;
Eugène Féral, Paris,
his sale, Paris, Hôtel Drouot, 22-24 April 1901, part of lots 224-9;
sale, New York, Christie's, 22 January 2003, part of lot 75
Literature
M.-J.-F. Mahérault, L'oeuvre de Moreau le Jeune, Paris 1880, under no. 623;
E. de Goncourt, La maison de l'artiste, Paris 1881, vol. I, pp. 120-121;
E. Bocher, Les gravures françaises du XVIIIe siècle, ou Catalogue raisonné des estampes, Jean-Michel Moreau le Jeune, Paris 1882, vol. VI, p. 695;
E. and J. de Goncourt, L'Art du dix-huitième siècle, Paris 1882, p. 254;
A. Moureau, Les Moreau, Paris 1893, p. 136;
G. Schéfer, Moreau le Jeune, Paris 1915, p. 117;
P. Huisman, L'aquarelle française au XVIIIe siècle, Paris 1968, pp. 70-71 and 136;
L. Orrey, A Concise History of Opera, New York 1972, pp. 86-87;
E. Launay, Les frères Goncourt collectionneurs de dessins, Paris 1991, no. 212
E. de Goncourt, La maison de l'artiste, Paris 1881, vol. I, pp. 120-121;
E. Bocher, Les gravures françaises du XVIIIe siècle, ou Catalogue raisonné des estampes, Jean-Michel Moreau le Jeune, Paris 1882, vol. VI, p. 695;
E. and J. de Goncourt, L'Art du dix-huitième siècle, Paris 1882, p. 254;
A. Moureau, Les Moreau, Paris 1893, p. 136;
G. Schéfer, Moreau le Jeune, Paris 1915, p. 117;
P. Huisman, L'aquarelle française au XVIIIe siècle, Paris 1968, pp. 70-71 and 136;
L. Orrey, A Concise History of Opera, New York 1972, pp. 86-87;
E. Launay, Les frères Goncourt collectionneurs de dessins, Paris 1991, no. 212
Condition
Hinge mounted. There is evidence of some light foxing throughout the shee and slight discolouration and surface dirt. There are six light brown stains, verso, where the sheet has previously been hinged. The medium is fresh throughout.
"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."
"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 drawing comes from a series of costume designs, which according to Edmond de Goncourt (loc. cit.) were commissioned from Moreau by the Académie Royale de Musique for a performance of the opera Iphigénie en Tauride, to take place on 23 January 1781. The opera was composed by Piccinni, and the libretto was by Dubreuil. Moreau had been the draughtsman for the Menus-Plaisirs since 1770 (see also lot 131), and apparently volunteered his services as a designer of costumes for the Opera in 1781, because he was shocked by the 'bad taste and the unnecessary luxury' that he saw there. From around 1783 on, Moreau provided the designs for many of the most original costumes seen in the Paris Opera at the time.