A Fine Line: Master Works on Paper from Five Centuries
A Fine Line: Master Works on Paper from Five Centuries
Claude Gillot
Recto: Allegory of Europe Verso: A section of a design for a gazebo decorated with a central sculpture, a fountain, and arabesques
Auction Closed
July 7, 10:53 AM GMT
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Claude Gillot
Langres 1673 - 1722 Paris
Recto: Allegory of Europe
Verso: A section of a design for a gazebo decorated with a central sculpture, a fountain, and arabesques
Pen and grey ink (recto and verso) and touches of grey wash (recto) and light reddish wash (verso);
bears pencil inscription, lower right: Europe
210 by 155 mm
Europe, beautifully dressed and with a flamboyant head-piece is seated in the middle of an architectural fantasy, conversing with a monkey, while offering it some delicacy in a long-stemmed, flat vessel. The monkey is seated at the top of two wine casks. On her left is a still life of fruits in a large basket, and lower right we see a hunting trophy with a rifle.
On the verso is a study, most likely a design for a tapestry portière or paravent, representing the right section of a gazebo with a sculpture and a fountain. A variant for the upper section of a niche is indicated to the left. Dr. Jennifer Tonkovich has kindly informed us that there are a certain number of similar studies with garden themes, with only half the design actually realised, in the Kunstbibliothek in Berlin.1
See note to lot 36
1. e.g. Berlin, Kunstbibliothek, inv. no. HdZ 2469, 25