LOUIS JEAN FRANÇOIS LAGRENÉE | A woman undressed by Love; A nymph looking at herself in the water

Sold a few years after its realization;
Anonymous sale, Paris, Me Ader-Catroux, 20 March 1959, lots 14 and 15; 
Anonymous sale, Paris, Piasa, 17 December 2003, lot 98.

Probably Salon de 1781, n° 12 (several paintings under the same number).

L. Lagrenée, Etat des tableaux faits par Monsieur Lagrenée depuis son retour de Rome, p. 277, n° 308-309; 
E. Goncourt, 1877, p. 238; 
E. Goncourt, 1880, p. 351; 
M. Sandoz, Les Lagrenée : I.- Louis (Jean, François) Lagrenée, 1725-1805 Les Lagrenée : I.- Louis (Jean, François) Lagrenée, 1725-1805, Paris 1983, pp. 147, 271 and 369, nos. 352 and 353, reproduced pp. 267-268, pl. XXXVII (as 'wood, 14 p. x 11 p. ?' sic.).

The actual paintings are more tonal and show more contrast than the catalogue illustration would suggest. Both copper plates seem to be nicely stable and flat. Please note that the reverses of these copper plates have not been examined as they are backed with boards. Some minor paint losses are visible on the edges due to the framing, and some of these have been retouched. The painted surfaces are covered with a dirty and discolored varnish layer. Some minor surface scratches can be observed on the second picture, lower left in the grass. Otherwise the painted surfaces are covered with a superficial surface dirt. Under the UV light The varnish layer of both pictures fluoresce almost completely showing some scattered retouchings throughout. There are different areas of fluorescence visible, there’s a different surface of fluorescence around the signatures areas: lower right in the first picture; lower left in the second picture. Offered with ornate carved and giltwood frames.
"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."

This pair of coppers shows a new image of intimity and of the complexity between female characters by Lagrenée and the putti or the Cupidos which accompany them. The suave execution is what clients expected of the artist's oeuvre. 

These two paintings were executed a little after the departure of Lagrenée for his directorate in Rome and are certainly amongst the ones exhibited at the Salon of 1781, assembled under the same number without an indication of their respective titles. The book of the painter himself does not give the name of the buyers, nor their prices of sale. The Nymph is close in style to the Venus, conserved in the Musée d'Amiens.

We kindly thank Mr Joseph Assémat-Tessandier, author of a forthcoming thesis on the artist at the University of Geneva, for his help with compiling this catalogue notice.