Lot 329
  • 329

CHARLES-JOSEPH NATOIRE | Study of a female attendant holding a carafe

Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed

Description

  • Charles-Joseph Natoire
  • Study of a female attendant holding a carafe
  • Black chalk, heightened with white chalk on blue-grey paper
  • 404 by 243 mm

Condition

Hinge mounted to a modern mount. The sheet has discolored somewhat, losing some of its original blue color, as indicated by the extremities of the sheet, where an old mount is likely to have previously covered the four edges. There are some old creases, tears and abrasions to the extremities and some thinning to the sheet in the upper half of the left edge, from the verso. The black chalk remains in good condition throughout and the image remains strong. Sold unframed.
"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

The present work is a highly characteristic, preliminary study for the female attendant in the centre of Natoire's 1742 painting, Venus à la fontaine (Fig. 1), the present whereabouts of which is unknown.1  One closely comparable study for the same project, depicting the seated Venus, similarly executed in a combination of black chalk heightened with white chalk on blue-grey paper, most recently appeared on the German art market.2 1. S. Caviglia-Brunel, Charles-Joseph Natoire 1700-1777, Paris 2012, pp. 307-308, no. P.130, reproduced
2. Ibid., p. 308, no. D.312, reproduced and sale, Cologne, Kunsthaus Lempertz, 18 November 2017, lot 2124