François Boucher

Red wax seal on back stretcher with Rothschild armorial

Probably Baron Nathaniel Mayer de Rothschild (1836-1905), Vienna;
Thence by inheritance to his nephew, Baron Alphonse Mayer de Rothschild (1878-1942), Vienna;
His widow, Baroness Clarice de Rothschild (1894-1967), New York, by whom presented as a gift;
Private Collection, New York.

The canvas has a an effective relining, and the paint surface is secure and stable. The varnish is clear and even. The picture appears to be in overall very good condition. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals repainted strips along each of the four margins, about 3/4 inches in depth. There are two old small restored damages measuring one inch in length. The first is to the left of the spray of grasses at the right of the floral decoration at the lower centre. The second is in the circular sculptural motif at the bottom left of the composition. There is one further small restored damage at the lower centre, in the green background. Otherwise there is only a very small scattering of minor strengthenings and next to no intervention in the figure of the flower girl, the flora and fauna, and in the charming pastoral oriental background. This lot is offered in a carved gilt wood frame 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."

This unpublished work is the pendant to La Marchande d’Oiseaux, a painting currently of unknown whereabouts, which was previously in the collection of Baron Edmond de Rothschild, circa 1915.¹ The paintings share an almost identical rocaille surround, and in this and their style they are most comparable to another pair of Fragonard’s overdoors in blue monochrome, both signed and dated 1742.² The present canvas probably dates from a similar time, when Boucher was producing his most ambitious work of chinoiserie – ten tapestry designs commissioned by the Beauvais factory, eight of which were exhibited at the Salon of 1742.³ The figure of the flower-seller here is highly comparable to those found in Huquier’s Recueil de diverses figures étrangers, published circa 1740 – a set of ornamental prints based on Boucher’s drawings, which led to the diffusion of Chinese taste throughout Europe, influencing the design of both painting and decorative arts.

Baron Alphonse de Rothschild inherited his great-uncle Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild’s art collection in Vienna, but although it included several important works by Boucher, this painting does not appear in the inventories. It is likely that it was attributed to another artist and, although no precise description or dimensions are noted, the 'Supraporte: Chinoiserie by Prince' – listed in Baron Nathaniel’s 1903 catalogue and a probate inventory of 1906 – is a very probable candidate.⁴ Jean-Baptiste Le Prince (1734-81) was Boucher’s pupil and also painted numerous Chinese-inspired compositions.

Indeed, this painting was also formerly attributed to Jean-Baptiste Pillement (1728-1808) until 2012, when Alastair Laing confirmed it as the work of Boucher, highlighting the characteristic nature of the rocaille surround and the handling of the paint, particularly in details such as the spewing dragon.⁵ We are grateful to Alastair Laing for reaffirming the attribution to Boucher and for his assistance in the cataloguing of this work.

1. A. Ananoff, François Boucher, New York 1976, vol. I, p. 381, cat. no. 266, reproduced.
2. Little Durnford Manor, Wiltshire and the Davids Samling, Copenhagen. See A. Laing, in François Boucher 1703-1770, exhibition catalogue, Paris 1986, p. 206, reproduced p. 208, figs 145 and 146.
3. Musée des Beaux-Arts, Besançon. Four reproduced in Laing 1986, pp. 202-07, cat. nos 41-44.
4. Rothschild Archive, London.
5. Letter from Alastair Laing dated 13 November 2012.