Lot 87
  • 87

MUIRHEAD BONE | The Orangery of Deniécourt Chateau, near Peronne

Estimate
1,000 - 1,500 GBP
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Description

  • Sir David Muirhead Bone, H.R.S.A., H.R.W.S.
  • The Orangery of Deniécourt Chateau, near Peronne
  • signed, titled and dated May 1917
  • charcoal on paper
  • 53 by 75.5cm.; 21 by 29¾in.
The Deniécourt Chateau was built by the Hervilly family in the 18th century who lived there until months before its desolation. Skeletal trees and scarred land with remnants of masonry and ironwork were all that remained of the beautiful brick and stone house by 1917, one of the many wrecked by the grim fortunes of the First World War. The Chateau was captured along with the nearby village of Estrées early in 1914 and was used as a regional headquarters by German forces. The Allies made it a priority to recapture it, which they did in the autumn before losing it again in 1915. A second libreation in the summer of 1916 convinced the Germans that the fortified castle could not be held safely and in September 1916 the building was destroyed by heavy artillery bombardment and the nearby commune being captured again. The area was finally liberated by Australian troops in 1918.

Provenance

Sale, Bonhams Knightsbridge, 1st October 2014, lot 134, where acquired by the present owner

Exhibited

Worcester, Worcester Art Museum, War Paintings and Drawings by British Artists, 1919, cat. no.8, with Ministry of Information tour to U.S.A.

Literature

The Western Front: Drawings by Muirhead Bone, published by the War Office, London, 1917, vol.2, part VII, cat. no.25, illustrated.

Condition

The sheet is secured to the mount with tabs of adhesive at all four edges. There are nicks and restored tears to all four edges, most notably the tear at the centre of the upper edge. There are further small restored tears to the sheet in the centre between the trees and to the right of the frame in the centre of the composition, and in the centre of the lower edge, with some associated small in-fillings. There is time staining evident at all four edges. There is some foxing to the sheet. There is some staining and studio matter, most evident in the sky. There is some surface dirt throughout. Subject to the above, the work appears in good overall condition. The sheet is float mounted and held behind glass in a simple wooden frame. Please telephone the department on +44 (0) 207 293 6424 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"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

Sold with The Western Front: Drawings by Muirhead Bone, Part VII, 1917.