Louis de Boullogne the Younger

With Kleinberger & Co., circa 1963-1964;
Emile Wolf, New York,
thence by descent

New York, American Federation of the Arts, 17th and 18th Century European Drawings, 1966, no. 22;
Cambridge, Massachusetts, Fogg Art Museum/Malibu, J. Paul Getty Museum/Montreal, Museum of Fine Arts, Louis XIII - Louis XVI:  French Drawings from a Private Collection, 1980, pp. 70-71, no. 17;
Tampa Museum, Louis XIII - Louis XVI:  French Drawings from a Private Collection, 1982

Window mounted to a modern card support which has in turn been hinged to a modern mount. There is an old repaired tear to the upper right corner, as well as below the left arm and foot of the man. There is a small nick to the right half of the lower edge. There is an old water stain that runs vertically down the right half of the sheet and some minor foxing and a small brown stain to the lower left corner. The medium itself remains in good condition with the black chalk fresh and vibrant throughout. Sold in a giltwood 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Louis de Boullogne was appointed Assistant Professor at the Académie Royale in 1690, rising to full Professor in 1694 and eventually becoming Director in 1722.  During his time teaching at the Academy he placed great emphasis on drawing from the model, and this is reflected in the number of academy studies from his hand that survive today.  A group of 163 drawings, originating from the artist's studio, were acquired by the Louvre from M. Defer in 1846; these drawings present a clear overview of Louis de Boullogne's style.¹  This is a characteristic academy study by the artist and does not connect directly with any known figure in Boullogne's compositions. However, the entry in the 1980 exhibition catalogue points out that the facial type, headdress and general pose seen here are similar to those of a figure in Vulcan's Forge, one of a series of engravings by Louis Desplaces after Louis de Boullogne, representing the Elements.<sup>2

1.</sup>  H. Guicharnaud, Louis de Boullogne, exhib. cat., Paris, Musée du Louvre, 2011

^2. Le Feu, Paris, Musée du Louvre, Inv. no. 869C