- 103
Louis Carrogis called Carmontelle
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- Louis Carrogis called Carmontelle
- A milkmaid and a donkey carrying two large baskets of flowers in a wood
- Black and red chalk and watercolour.
Bears pen and ink inscription on the backing of the old mount: La Belle Lattière de Villers Cotterets./Le Bon duc d'orléans aimais Beaucoup Cette Charmante paysanne/qui préparais La Créme fraiche pour la Bouche du prince et Lui/offrait Les plus Belles fleures de Chaque Saison.; numbered in pen and brown ink: 385
Provenance
Chevalier Richard de Lédans;
purchased after Lédans death in 1816 by Pierre de la Mésangère (1761-1831),
his sale, Paris, Paillet, 18 July 1831, part of lot 304;
Major James Duff of Drummuir, Scotland, and thence by descent;
Christie's, London, 12 January 1995, lot 107, purchased by the late John Winter
purchased after Lédans death in 1816 by Pierre de la Mésangère (1761-1831),
his sale, Paris, Paillet, 18 July 1831, part of lot 304;
Major James Duff of Drummuir, Scotland, and thence by descent;
Christie's, London, 12 January 1995, lot 107, purchased by the late John Winter
Condition
Laid down on the old mount partly cut. The drawing overall is in very good condition. Colours are strong and fresh. Sold mounted and framed on a gilded wooden 20th century 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. 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 extremely charming portrait of 'La Belle Lattière', which is slightly unusual in being drawn not in profile, like the vast majority of Carmontelle's works, gives us a wonderful and fresh image of a peasant girl who was in the ducal favor, as we can read in the old inscription on the backing of the mount. This inscription was most probably written by Pierre de la Mésangère, who appears to have mounted all of Carmontelle's drawings, after acquiring them after Richard Lédans's death. The present sheet is one of about five existing portraits which Carmontelle drew at Villers-Cotterêt, where the Orleans family spent their summer. The other sheets are now at Chantilly.1
Carmontelle, in 1763, after a short military career was employed as lecteur du Duc de Chartres in the household of the Duc d'Orléans, where he remained until the Revolution. Although he was extremely talented, also entertaining the court as a playwright and producing garden designs in addition to these extraordinary portraits, the original of which he kept in his collection, so that he could produce replicas on request, his position in the court was always that of a servant. Carmontelle executed 750 such portraits which he inserted into eleven albums, which remained in the artist's possession until his death. The majority of these portrait drawings are preserved in the Musée Condé at Chantilly. These were part of the collection put together by the Duc d'Aumale (1827-1897), grandson of Philippe-Egalité, who had acquired in 1877 via Paul and Dominic Colnaghi, the major ensemble of works by Carmontelle from the descendants of Major James Duff, and previously owned by Pierre de la Mésangère. A few sheets, including the present one were retained by the family and appeared on the art market in the first half of the 1990s (see Provenance).2
Carmontelle, in 1763, after a short military career was employed as lecteur du Duc de Chartres in the household of the Duc d'Orléans, where he remained until the Revolution. Although he was extremely talented, also entertaining the court as a playwright and producing garden designs in addition to these extraordinary portraits, the original of which he kept in his collection, so that he could produce replicas on request, his position in the court was always that of a servant. Carmontelle executed 750 such portraits which he inserted into eleven albums, which remained in the artist's possession until his death. The majority of these portrait drawings are preserved in the Musée Condé at Chantilly. These were part of the collection put together by the Duc d'Aumale (1827-1897), grandson of Philippe-Egalité, who had acquired in 1877 via Paul and Dominic Colnaghi, the major ensemble of works by Carmontelle from the descendants of Major James Duff, and previously owned by Pierre de la Mésangère. A few sheets, including the present one were retained by the family and appeared on the art market in the first half of the 1990s (see Provenance).2
1. Chantilly, Musée Condé, CAR 62 'Tailleur à Villers-Cotterêt, CAR 111 'L'Abbé à Villers-Cotterêt', CAR 112 'La garde blès de Villers-Cotterêt, CAR 295 Mlle de Mercy de Villers-Cotterêt
2. Sales, London, Christie's, 12 January 1992, lots 176-184 and 12 January 1995, lots 107-109