- 12
Adam Frans van der Meulen
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Adam Frans van der Meulen
- Study of Louis XIV and Vicomte de Turenne for La Prise de Lille
- Black chalk heightened with white chalk on grey paper, within red chalk framing lines;
bears old attribution, lower left: van der Meulen and verso: P.P. Rubens.
Provenance
Sale, Paris, Picard, 20 October 1994, lot 147 (as Adrian Frans van der Meulen);
sale, London, Sotheby's, 8 July 1998, lot 185 (as Attributed to Adam Frans van der Meulen)
sale, London, Sotheby's, 8 July 1998, lot 185 (as Attributed to Adam Frans van der Meulen)
Condition
Laid down on paper which has in turn been hinged mounted to a modern mount. There is an old hanging crease running across the centre of the sheet and some scattered foxing and discolouration to the left half of the sheet. The black chalk medium remains predominantly freh throughout this impressive sheet. Sold in a modern wood frame.
"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
Van der Meulen accompanied several of the campaigns of King Louis XIV in the Low Countries between 1667 and 1673, recording daily military life as well as major seiges and battles. The greatest record of this is the famous tapestry series, L'Histoire du Roi, designed by van der Meulen and Charles le Brun, from which the present work can be securely connected to the tapestry depicting La Prise de Lille (fig. 1).
The two figures on horseback are King Louis XIV, and Vicomte de Turenne, both of whom correspond closely to their respective figures in the tapestry. The close artistic collaboration between van der Meulen and le Brun is further illustrated by the survival of a drawing1 housed in the Musée National du Château de Versailles, executed by le Brun and thought to have been retouched by van der Meulen, which acts as a preliminary composition study for La Prise de Lille.
1. Versailles, Musée National du Château de Versailles, Inv. no. 27636