- 90
Attributed to Jean Antoine Watteau
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 USD
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Description
- Jean Antoine Watteau
- Children parodying the Triumph of Bacchus
- Red chalk and gray wash;
bears inscription in pen and brown ink, verso: près Paris en 1721. - 6 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches
Provenance
With Paul Prouté, Paris, until 1958,
from whom acquired by Wildenstein, New York, in 1958,
from whom acquired by Grant J. Pick, Glencoe, Illinois in 1960;
with Fairweather-Hardin Gallery, Chicago,
by whom sold, London, Sotheby's, 9 July 1968, lot 51 (as Watteau);
acquired by the present owner in 1982
from whom acquired by Wildenstein, New York, in 1958,
from whom acquired by Grant J. Pick, Glencoe, Illinois in 1960;
with Fairweather-Hardin Gallery, Chicago,
by whom sold, London, Sotheby's, 9 July 1968, lot 51 (as Watteau);
acquired by the present owner in 1982
Exhibited
Chicago, Art Institute, Treasures of Chicago Collectors, 1961, no number
Literature
P. Rosenberg and L-A. Prat, Antoine Watteau 1684-1712, Catalogue raisonné des dessins, 3 vols., Milan 1996, vol. III, p. 1228, no. R300 (as not by Watteau, possibly by Claude Gillot), reproduced p. 1229;
M.M. Grasselli, 'Reviews: Pierre Rosenberg and Louis-Antoine Prat, Antoine Watteau 1684-1721, catalogue raisonné des dessins', Master Drawings, vol. XXXIX, no. 3, 2001, p. 325 (as by Watteau)
M.M. Grasselli, 'Reviews: Pierre Rosenberg and Louis-Antoine Prat, Antoine Watteau 1684-1721, catalogue raisonné des dessins', Master Drawings, vol. XXXIX, no. 3, 2001, p. 325 (as by Watteau)
Condition
Window mounted - window mount covering edges of the recto. Light brown staining around edges , more concentrated at lower margin. A few tiny dots of what appears to be white gouache, possibly studio stains. Red chalk still strong.
Sold in carved and 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.
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
As Rosenberg and Prat noted (loc. cit.), this charming and accomplished drawing highlights the difficulties in separating certain early drawings by Watteau from those of this teacher, Claude Gillot. They felt that on balance it should be considered the work of the teacher rather than the pupil, but Margaret Morgan Grasselli disagrees (loc. cit.), and believes that it fits perfectly well with the known series of early drawings by Watteau, dating from circa 1708-09, depicting children parodying the activities of adults. Other drawings from this series, all more or less the same size as this and unquestionably very comparable in mood and technique, are in Chicago, Frankfurt, Paris and private collections.1
1 Rosenberg - Prat, op. cit., nos. 11-15