Lot 242
  • 242

Marie-Madeleine, Marquise de Verdelin

Estimate
3,000 - 4,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Marie-Madeleine, Marquise de Verdelin
  • Portrait of Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778), in profile, in a fur hat with tassels and a fur-trimmed coat
  • Red and black chalk within a drawn black chalk oval; bears signature in black chalk, below the oval: Marquise de Verdelin and also bears a largely illegible inscription with date 1764 (?), in black chalk, verso

Provenance

A. Poulet-Malassis (1825-1878),
given to the Marquis Ph. de Chennevieres (L.2073) (P. De Chennevières, Une collection de Dessins d'Artistes Français, chap. XI, p. 350),
his sale, Paris, Hôtel Drouot, 4-7 April 1900, no. 499 ('Portrait de Jean-Jacques Rousseau de profil et coiffé d'un bonnet de fourrure. Au crayon rehaussé d'aquarelle. Sur la meme feuille:  Le portrait de Mlle de Lomenie de profile et un costume d'homme par Mr le Cher de Boufflers, à la mine de plomb. Deux dessins'),
bought by Roblin for 12 Francs

Literature

L-A. Prat and L. Lhinares, La Collection Chennevières: Quatre siècles de dessins Français, Musée du Louvre, Paris 2007, pp. 127, 356 and 715, cat. no. 513

Condition

Some light brown staining scattered throughout. A more prominent stain at the lower half of the drawn oval located on the fur of his garment and some staining visible in his fur hat. Otherwise in good condition - chalk remains strong.
"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

The Marquise de Verdelin was a loyal friend of the great Swiss writer and philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau.  Details of their friendship are discussed in his autobiography, Confessions, published in 1782.