- 203
Marie-Victoire Lemoine
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
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Description
- Marie-Victoire Lemoine
- A melancholy girl holding a letter and a dove; A joyful girl holding a letter
- the former signed and dated centre left: M.Vic..re. / Lemoine / 1784[?]; the latter signed and dated centre right: Vic.re / Lemoine 1785
- a pair, both oil on canvas, oval
Condition
The canvases both have rather firm relinings, the paint surfaces are clean, and the varnishes are clear and even. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals scattered spot retouching in the flesh tones of the girls, along the lines of the networks of craquelure which run through both pictures. There is also retouching around the edges of both canvases. In overall good condition.
Offered in neo-Classical gilt oval frames in good condition.
"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
The text on the letter held by the melancholy girl is a direct quote from the beginning of Book IV of Galatée (1783) by Jean-Pierre Claris de Florian (1755–94), whose romantic tale imitates the Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes' version of the story. This line follows an invocation to douce mélancolie: '...les larmes que tu fais couler sont aux ames tendres ce que la rosée est aux fleurs. Que les souvenirs que tu donnes sont attachants!'
Although Lemoine also painted genre scenes, she is best known for her portraiture, commonly in the same oval format as the present works, and was patronised by some of the grandest collectors of the turn of the century, including Marie Thérèse Louise, Princesse de Lamballe (1749–92) and Louis Philippe Joseph d'Orléans, duc de Chartres (1747–93).