Old Master Day Sale including Old Master Paintings, Drawings and British Works on Paper

Property from the collection of the late Dr Erika Polh-Ströher (1919-2016)

JEAN-JACQUES KARPFF, CALLED CASIMIR | PORTRAIT OF COLLIN D'HARLEVILLE (1755-1806), THE PLAYWRIGHT

VAT reduced rateRestricted Species

Lot Closed

July 29, 02:31 PM GMT

Estimate

2,000 - 3,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

Property from the collection of the late Dr Erika Pohl-Ströher (1919-2016)

JEAN-JACQUES KARPFF, CALLED CASIMIR

Colmar 1770 - 1829 Paris

PORTRAIT OF COLLIN D'HARLEVILLE (1755-1806), THE PLAYWRIGHT

Watercolour and encre de chine, heightened with bodycolour on ivory, stamped gilt-metal frame;

signed lower right: CAIMIR.F., inscribed lower centre: 'COLLIN D'HARLEVILLE, AUT: DU VIEUX CELIBAT DÉDIÉ À M.ME REISET, NÉE GODEFROY. CASIMIR. F.T'

framed: 112 by 90 mm

unframed: 95 by 73 mm

Please note: Condition 11 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Online Only) is not applicable to this lot.

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This lot contains ivory. Due to recent changes in the laws of many countries (e.g. US, France) Sotheby's recommends that buyers check with their own government regarding any importation requirements prior to placing a bid. For example, US regulations restrict the import of elephant ivory and prohibit the import of African elephant ivory. Please note that Sotheby's will not assist buyers with CITES licence applications where a buyer elects to either collect or arrange their own shipping, nor will Sotheby's assist with the international movement of ivory by air, either as freight or through hand carry. Sotheby's shipping will only assist in shipping the lot to either domestic UK or EU destinations, where delivery is made by road transport. A buyer's inability to export or import these lots cannot justify a delay in payment or sale cancellation.

The Comte de Reiset, by 1851;

sale, London, Christie's, 6 July 2005, lot 202;

where acquired by Dr Erika Pohl-Ströher (1919-2016)

An old inscription on the reverse of the frame reads 'Portrait de Collin d'Harleville ami de ma mère peint par Casimir Karpff de Colmar Turin 1851 Cte de Reiset.

Although a trained lawyer, Jean-François Collin d'Harleville (1755-1806), abandoned that career to pursue his love for literature and the theatre. From 1781 onwards, his highly successful comedies were staged at the Comédie française and they maintained their popularity until long after his death.

The inscription on the present miniature, which can be seen on the table cloth, make referance to his celebrated play of 1792: Le Vieux Célibataire.

In 2005 this work was acquired by Dr Erika Pohl-Ströher (1919-2016). For further information on this extraordinary collector please see lot 244.