- 83
François Boucher
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
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Description
- François Boucher
- A group of five young women by a fountain
- Black and white chalk,
bears partially legible inscription/signature, lower left: f.(?) Boucher
Provenance
Possibly François Boucher,
his posthumous sale, 18 February ff. 1771, lot 419 ('un sujet de cinq figures de femmes');
sale, Audap-Mirabaud, Drouot, 15 December 2010, lot 50 (as 'Le Retour du Marché);
Private collection, Paris
his posthumous sale, 18 February ff. 1771, lot 419 ('un sujet de cinq figures de femmes');
sale, Audap-Mirabaud, Drouot, 15 December 2010, lot 50 (as 'Le Retour du Marché);
Private collection, Paris
Condition
Laid down. Overall in good condition. Small dark brown stain upper right corner and light staining around the edges of the sheet. Otherwise chalk remains strong and vibrant.
"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
From the description, it seems a drawing sold in Boucher's posthumous sale, lot 419 (see Provenance) may well be the present work. Stylistically, Alastair Laing has dated this drawing to late in Boucher's career so it is plausible that it was still in Boucher's hands when he died.
An attractive composition, Boucher has depicted young women by a water fountain, others appearing to wash clothes in the background, and one of the central figures transports water in a vase on her head.
Hubert Robert borrows the three central figures in this drawing and uses them in reverse in his own Washerwomen and Shepherd at a Well.1
We are grateful to Alastair Laing, who, from seeing the drawing in the original, has confirmed the attribution to Boucher.
1. Sale, London, Christie's, 1 July 1997, lot 156