Jean-Baptiste Oudry

For the complete set of drawings from which this originates:
sold by the artist around 1751 to M. de Montenault, Paris, publisher of the folio edition
J.-J. de Bure, Paris, 1828,
his sale, 1-18 December 1953, lor 344 (for 1,800 FF);
Count Adolphe-Narcisse Thibaudeau, Paris,
by whom given to the celebrated actress, Mme. Doche, 
by whom sold to the bookseller Fontaine (for 2,500 FF), 
from whom bought by Félix Solar (for 5,000 FF),
his sale, Paris, 19 November-8 December 1860, lot 627 (to M. Cléder, acting for Baron Taylor, for 6,100 FF);
with Morgand et Fatout, Paris booksellers, circa 1876 (acquired from Baron Taylor?),
by whom sold to Emile Péreire, Paris,
by whom sold to Louis Roederer, Reims,
from whose estate acquired by Dr. A.S.W. Rosenbach, 1923,
from whom purchased by Raphael Esmerian, New York circa 1946,
his sale, Paris, Palais Galliera, 6 June 1973, lot 46 (2,000,000 FF.);
after which the first volume was sold to the British Rail Pension Fund and the second was dismembered and the pages sold separately

New York, The Pierpont Morgan Library, Fables from Aesop to Thurber, 1965

For the very extensive literature on the whole group of drawings, see H. Opperman, Jean Baptiste Oudry, op.cit., below, and also sale catalogue, Sotheby's London, 3 July 1996, under lot 96;
J. Locquin, Catalogue Raisonné de l'Oeuvre de Jean-Baptiste Oudry (1686-1755) (Archives de l'art français, vol. VI), Paris 1912, pp. 152-163, cat. no. 1126;
H.N. Opperman, Jean-Baptiste Oudry, Chicago 1977, vol. I, pp. 99-101, vol. II, p. 703, cat no. D413;
H.N. Opperman, J.-B. Oudry, exhib. cat., Galeries nationales du Grand Palais, Paris 1982, pp. 157-9

Hinged to mount at upper margin. Overall in very good condition. Few very faint light brown stains at the lower left near the signature. Some discoloration/ staining on the painted mount. Otherwise fine- sold in gilded 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.
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.

Between 1729 and 1734, while he was employed at the Beauvais factory on designs for a series of tapestries, Oudry also executed 275 drawings illustrating the Fables of La Fontaine.  Gougenot gives a romantic account of the artist working on the drawings late at night after his days at the factory.  In 1752 Oudry sold the complete set of drawings to Montenault (see provenance), who announced their forthcoming publication.  Charles-Nicolas Cochin the Younger was in charge of the illustrations and made copies of Oudry's freely drawn originals for the engravers.  Oudry provided the drawing for the frontispiece in 1752, the first two volumes appeared in 1755, the third in 1756 and the fourth finally in 1759, thanks to a generous donation from the King himself.  Around 1755-60, the original Oudry drawings were bound into two albums, the second of which was broken up and dispersed after the Esmerian sale in 1973.  This drawing comes from that album.  The other album, in its original dark blue calf binding labelled on the spine: DESSINS DES/FABLES DE LA/FONTAINE PAR/I.D. OUDRY/PREMIERE PARTIE, has remained intact, and was sold, Sotheby's London, 3 July 1996, lot 96.