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OLIVIER LE MAY | Ball given by the duke de Liancourt for the countess de Rochechouart, at Lisieux
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
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Description
- Olivier Le May
- Ball given by the duke de Liancourt for the countess de Rochechouart, at Lisieux
- Gouache over traces of pencil, within black borders;signed and dated, lower right: O. Le May / Pinxit / 1771;bears old inscription in pen and brown ink on the verso of the original backing: La Fête donnée par Le Duc de Liancourt/a Mme La Contesse de la Rochechouart/à Lisieux/1771
- 249 by 470 mm
Provenance
Probably Élisabeth François Armide Durey de Morsan, Comtesse de Rochechouart (1757-1805),
Princesse de Carency, née Rochechouart,
thence by inheritance to her nephew Alphonse de Bauffremont (1792-1860), label on the verso of the original backing with inventory n. 34;
Collection de M. J. del V., her sale, Paris, Galerie Georges Petit, 28 May 1931, lot 41;
the Damiron Collection, Paris
Princesse de Carency, née Rochechouart,
thence by inheritance to her nephew Alphonse de Bauffremont (1792-1860), label on the verso of the original backing with inventory n. 34;
Collection de M. J. del V., her sale, Paris, Galerie Georges Petit, 28 May 1931, lot 41;
the Damiron Collection, Paris
Condition
Hinge mounted to a modern card backing. There is an old repair to the upper right corner and some small losses of gouache to the centre of the upper edge. Otherwise in very fine condition with the medium fresh and vibrant throughout. Sold in an original French carved and gilded 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
Most certainly drawn from life1 the present gouache must have been commissioned by the Duc of Liancourt to record the outdoor feast he gave in honour of the Countess of Rochechouart at Lisieux, in Normandy in 1771, the date written by the artist after his signature. The main focus to the left of this exquisite composition is on a dancing couple: François Alexandre de Liancourt (1747-1827) 'Grand-Maître de la Garde Robe' of Louis XV and Louis XVI, and Madeleine Melanie Henriette Barberie de Courteille, countess de Rochechouart, who married Aimery de Rochechouart in 1764. Sold in an original, late 18th century carved and gilded French frame, bearing the inscription at the top: DONNE AU DUC ALPHONSE DE BAUFFREMONT, PAR SA TANTE LA PRINCESSE DE CARENCY NEE ROCHECHOUART and at the bottom DONNE PAR Mr. le DUC DE LIANCOURT à Mme la CONTESSE DE ROCHECHOUART à LISIEUX EN NORMANDIE
1. The pendant to the present work, also executed on the same occasion, was signed: Le May fecit a natura, as is stated in the catalogue of the 1931 sale, (see Provenance)
1. The pendant to the present work, also executed on the same occasion, was signed: Le May fecit a natura, as is stated in the catalogue of the 1931 sale, (see Provenance)