Louis de Boullogne the Younger

Private Collection, Switzerland,
where acquired by the late Jan Krugier

Linie, Licht und Schatten, Meisterzeichnungen und Skulpturen der Sammlung Jan und Marie-Anne Krugier-Poniatowski, exhib. cat., Berlin 1999, p. 396 reproduced;
The Timeless Eye. Master Drawings from the Jan and Marie-Anne Krugier-Poniatowski Collection, exhib. cat., Berlin 1999, p. 396 reproduced.

Laid down. A few small brown stains, barely visible, the most notable one under the figure's outstretched left hand. A few tiny tears/nicks in the sheet, one in the lower right corner and another along the bottom margin. Two lines of blue pastel/chalk have been drawn on the backing sheet, one above the top margin of the drawing and one below the lower margin, whilst the pastel is mainly on the backing sheet some of the blue has been applied to the actual sheet (onto the blue paper). Black and white chalk remains strong and vibrant.
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Louis de Boullogne was appointed Assistant Professor at the Académie Royale in 1690, rising to full Professor in 1694 and eventually becoming Director in 1722.  During his time teaching at the Academy he placed great emphasis on drawing from the model, and this is reflected in the number of academy studies from his hand that survive today.  A group of 163 drawings, originating from the artist's studio, were acquired by the Louvre from M. Defer in 1846; these drawings present a clear overview of Louis de Boullogne's style.¹ 

Almost all of the artist's academy studies are executed in black and white chalk on blue paper.  The present example is a typically strong and vigorous depiction of the male figure, who is drawn leaning forward, his head tilted, and his arms stretched out in front of him.  See also lot 34.

^1.  H. Guicharnaud, Louis de Boullogne, exhib. cat., Paris, Musée du Louvre, 2011