Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus

showing the seven-year-old Wolfgang seated at the harpsichord, his father Leopold standing behind him playing the violin, and his sister Nannerl in the background singing, etched en manière de crayon with contemporary hand-colour, probably by Carmontelle's studio

laid down on later card with gilt border, overall size 37 x 24.8cm, [Paris, c.1777], card slightly bowed, otherwise in excellent condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"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."

This is a contemporary hand-coloured copy of one of the most famous of all Mozart portraits, by Louis Carrogis Carmontelle (1717-1806).

Carmontelle's original drawing (in the Musée Condé, Chantilly) dates from Mozart's first visit to Paris (November 1763-April 1764), and was popularized through engraved copies by J.-B. Delafosse, although the actual engraving appears to have been done by Christian de Mechel (for a copy, see Sotheby's sale, 8 December 2009). Engravings of the Carmontelle watercolour were sold by Leopold Mozart during the family's later stay in London. Carmontelle may have produced this hand-coloured etching through his own studio, to capitalize on the success of his portrait and also to coincide with Mozart's return to Paris in 1778. It is executed en manière de crayon, a technique developed in late eighteenth-century France to reproduce drawings as closely and convincingly as possible. Indeed, the stipple engraving can be barely discerned beneath the contemporary watercolour. Other copies of the image can be found at Castle Howard and the British Museum: these bear an inscription and date (1777) on the border. See also the copies sold in these rooms on 28 May 2015 (lot 261) and 24 May 2016 (lot 124).