Decade 1760-1769
See also : 18th century painting Ancient French painting Ancient drawing Venice Italy II UK II George I to III Ancient Germany Qianlong Autograph Cities Horse Furniture 18th century furniture Ancient French furniture Louis XIV to XVI Colonial America European ceramics Textiles Sport in art
1740-1770 A Carpet from La Savonnerie, under Louis XV
2000 SOLD for $ 4.4M including premium by Christie's
2008 SOLD 2.5 M€ including premium
PRE 2008 SALE DISCUSSION
Lot 68 of Sotheby's sale in Paris on October 22 is typical of the taste in the eighteenth century for some decorative overload. The center of this very large carpet (5.67 x 6.03 m) is a cartouche of royal attributes including fleurs de lys and crown. Around, you see some bouquets of flowers emerging from cornes d'abondance and surrounded of acanthus and fruit. The press release speaks of intricate tangle. Taking into account the expected price (€ 2.5 million) it is not exactly the same as "clutter". This rocaille style is a bit outdated today. The blue of France contrasts with the dark brown background.
It is a pure product of the Manufacture Royale de la Savonnerie, since its cartoon was designed there by Pierre-Josse Perrot, and this copy was woven therein between 1760 and 1770 (according to Sotheby's), or between 1740 and 1750 (according to Christie's). It is not one of the three examples that were woven for the royal furniture, in 1735, 1740 and 1769, one of which is currently in Fontainebleau. Perrot was the titular designer of the Savonnerie, and his style of decoration was particularly appreciated by King Louis XV.
On 2 November 2000, at the sale the very prestigious Riahi collection at Christie's, it was sold $ 4.4 million including expenses, doubling the price that Christie's had obtained in London in 1994. It is the catalog in Sotheby's, as always very detailed in the origins and dates, which invited me to find these historic sales made by its competitor.
POST SALE COMMENT
The sale of that lot, which seemed difficult to me, is successful: € 2.5 million including expenses.
This result is especially interesting to note when so many French furniture are no longer able to sell. Both Riesener furniture that I included in my weekly preview for the same sale have not found a buyer.
Lot 68 of Sotheby's sale in Paris on October 22 is typical of the taste in the eighteenth century for some decorative overload. The center of this very large carpet (5.67 x 6.03 m) is a cartouche of royal attributes including fleurs de lys and crown. Around, you see some bouquets of flowers emerging from cornes d'abondance and surrounded of acanthus and fruit. The press release speaks of intricate tangle. Taking into account the expected price (€ 2.5 million) it is not exactly the same as "clutter". This rocaille style is a bit outdated today. The blue of France contrasts with the dark brown background.
It is a pure product of the Manufacture Royale de la Savonnerie, since its cartoon was designed there by Pierre-Josse Perrot, and this copy was woven therein between 1760 and 1770 (according to Sotheby's), or between 1740 and 1750 (according to Christie's). It is not one of the three examples that were woven for the royal furniture, in 1735, 1740 and 1769, one of which is currently in Fontainebleau. Perrot was the titular designer of the Savonnerie, and his style of decoration was particularly appreciated by King Louis XV.
On 2 November 2000, at the sale the very prestigious Riahi collection at Christie's, it was sold $ 4.4 million including expenses, doubling the price that Christie's had obtained in London in 1994. It is the catalog in Sotheby's, as always very detailed in the origins and dates, which invited me to find these historic sales made by its competitor.
POST SALE COMMENT
The sale of that lot, which seemed difficult to me, is successful: € 2.5 million including expenses.
This result is especially interesting to note when so many French furniture are no longer able to sell. Both Riesener furniture that I included in my weekly preview for the same sale have not found a buyer.
1760-1770 block and shell bookcase desk attributed to John Goddard in Newport
1989 SOLD 12.1 M$ by Christie's
1760 The Official Portrait of a Concubine
2015 SOLD for HK$ 137M including premium
The Kangxi Emperor favored the contact with Europe. By the 49th year of his reign, the court accepted a suggestion of the Jesuits to invite a painter. The candidature of the lay brother Giuseppe Castiglione was accepted.
Castiglione arrived in Beijing in the 54th year of Kangxi, 1715 in our calendar. The skills of this young man aged 27 appealed to the emperor and he became a court painter under the name Lang Shining. He never left the imperial court. In his outstanding career that lasted half a century without harm or conflict, he assimilated the traditional techniques of Chinese graphic art without forgetting his original training.
The court painters were considered as imperial officials and did not sign their works. Lang Shining and his studio are credited with near certainty for the paintings that incorporate such Western features like perspective or like the shades that enhance the realism of the face.
The official portraits of the Emperor and his favorite Ladies are a tradition in the Chinese court. In the first year of Qianlong, a scroll shows the Emperor and the Empress aside with no less than eleven consort spouses.
One of these eleven concubines remained a favorite until her death in the 25th year of Qianlong, 1760 of our calendar, when this former commoner had just reached the highest position behind the Empress. On October 7 in Hong Kong, Sotheby's sells as lot 3202 her portrait where she is designated in a calligraphy by the emperor's hand under the name of her ultimate dignity, Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui.
According to the imperial tradition, the Lady is sitting on a magnificent throne. She is wearing a robe of highest luxury and a long chain necklace. The face is young and smooth for this woman who died at the age of 47, but the original portrait with the other concubines had certainly served as a modello. The press release of September 1 announces an expected price in excess of HK $ 60M.
The artwork for sale by Sotheby's is a hanging scroll in ink and colors on silk 198 x 123 cm. It is shared on Wikimedia (see below).
On 27 May 2012, Bonhams sold for HK $ 40M including premium a portrait up the waist of the same favorite, oil on paper 55 x 42 cm.
Castiglione arrived in Beijing in the 54th year of Kangxi, 1715 in our calendar. The skills of this young man aged 27 appealed to the emperor and he became a court painter under the name Lang Shining. He never left the imperial court. In his outstanding career that lasted half a century without harm or conflict, he assimilated the traditional techniques of Chinese graphic art without forgetting his original training.
The court painters were considered as imperial officials and did not sign their works. Lang Shining and his studio are credited with near certainty for the paintings that incorporate such Western features like perspective or like the shades that enhance the realism of the face.
The official portraits of the Emperor and his favorite Ladies are a tradition in the Chinese court. In the first year of Qianlong, a scroll shows the Emperor and the Empress aside with no less than eleven consort spouses.
One of these eleven concubines remained a favorite until her death in the 25th year of Qianlong, 1760 of our calendar, when this former commoner had just reached the highest position behind the Empress. On October 7 in Hong Kong, Sotheby's sells as lot 3202 her portrait where she is designated in a calligraphy by the emperor's hand under the name of her ultimate dignity, Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui.
According to the imperial tradition, the Lady is sitting on a magnificent throne. She is wearing a robe of highest luxury and a long chain necklace. The face is young and smooth for this woman who died at the age of 47, but the original portrait with the other concubines had certainly served as a modello. The press release of September 1 announces an expected price in excess of HK $ 60M.
The artwork for sale by Sotheby's is a hanging scroll in ink and colors on silk 198 x 123 cm. It is shared on Wikimedia (see below).
On 27 May 2012, Bonhams sold for HK $ 40M including premium a portrait up the waist of the same favorite, oil on paper 55 x 42 cm.
1762 Conversation with Garrick
2011 SOLD 6.8 M£ including premium
Two centuries after Shakespeare, one century after Molière, the dominant figure of the theater was David Garrick. That illustrious actor was also known to manage his own career, and reached in his time a considerable fame and high social rank. He was however not knighted.
In 1754, Garrick bought a luxurious villa on the banks of the Thames in Hampton. He had built by Robert Adam a temple to Shakespeare in neo-Greek style. This building is now a museum dedicated to Garrick.
At that time in England, the fashion in painting is the conversation piece. Influenced by the Dutch genre scenes, this style shows the sponsor of the painting surrounded by family and friends. The faces are clearly identifiable, and attitudes are active and friendly.
Garrick was introduced to all the great English painters of his time. Yet in 1762, he entrusted to a young German artist recently arrived in England the task of executing a pair of conversation pieces in Hampton. After this first success, Johann Zoffany became the best painter in this theme.
This pair of oils on canvas, 100 x 125 cm each, is estimated £ 6M, for sale by Sotheby's in London on December 7.
One of them, showing the afternoon tea on the lawn along the river, is illustrated in the press release shared by AuctionPublicity. The other, showing Mr. and Mrs. Garrick in front of Shakespeare temple, is illustrated in the Wikipedia.
POST SALE COMMENT
This lot apparently atypical was in fact quite representative of the art of its time. The sale could be considered difficult, but it is successful: £ 6.8 million including premium.
In 1754, Garrick bought a luxurious villa on the banks of the Thames in Hampton. He had built by Robert Adam a temple to Shakespeare in neo-Greek style. This building is now a museum dedicated to Garrick.
At that time in England, the fashion in painting is the conversation piece. Influenced by the Dutch genre scenes, this style shows the sponsor of the painting surrounded by family and friends. The faces are clearly identifiable, and attitudes are active and friendly.
Garrick was introduced to all the great English painters of his time. Yet in 1762, he entrusted to a young German artist recently arrived in England the task of executing a pair of conversation pieces in Hampton. After this first success, Johann Zoffany became the best painter in this theme.
This pair of oils on canvas, 100 x 125 cm each, is estimated £ 6M, for sale by Sotheby's in London on December 7.
One of them, showing the afternoon tea on the lawn along the river, is illustrated in the press release shared by AuctionPublicity. The other, showing Mr. and Mrs. Garrick in front of Shakespeare temple, is illustrated in the Wikipedia.
POST SALE COMMENT
This lot apparently atypical was in fact quite representative of the art of its time. The sale could be considered difficult, but it is successful: £ 6.8 million including premium.
> 1762 & 1774 A Mandarin in the Mountains
2018 SOLD for HK$ 147M including premium
The very important inspection trips of the Kangxi emperor had a major role in consolidating the Southern provinces. Isolated regions therein must also join the civilization.
The coastal province of Zhejiang is the subject of a freeing campaign in 1727 CE during the reign of Yongzheng. The Qianlong emperor remains vigilant. During his 27th year, 1762 CE, he appoints as Education Commissioner of Zhejiang for a three-year mission one of his most brilliant mandarins named Qian Weicheng.
Qian's career is a very good example of the extreme and multidisciplinary skills required to the mandarins. Received at the examinations at the age of 23 in the tenth year of Qianlong, he had become as a jurist an important member of the imperial bureaucracy. Poet, calligrapher and artist, he knows how to imitate the ancients. His poetry is pleasant and original.
In the tradition of the Qing imperial travels, Qian executes landscape drawings of the Zhejiang in handscrolls of great length. His view of the Yandang Mountains has been preserved.
On April 3 in Hong Kong, Sotheby's sells a 34 cm high scroll of ten landscapes of Mount Tiantai, for a total length of 4.60 m. It is estimated HK $ 50M, lot 3301.
The drawing without washes is of a topographical accuracy and includes the Buddhist monasteries and some human presence. Yet Qian, who had visited Yandang, did not walk Tiantai personally as his tour plans were each time abandoned due to bad weather. He was probably relying upon pre-existing images to avoid confessing this failure.
Each of the ten views is accompanied by a long descriptive commentary by Qian and by an autograph poem written by Qianlong and dated by him in 1774 CE, two years after the death of the artist. The artwork was removed from the Palace in the early 1920s by the last deposed Qing emperor in an effort to protect the imperial patrimony from looters.
Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's including the vision of moving grounds often practiced by this auction house.
The coastal province of Zhejiang is the subject of a freeing campaign in 1727 CE during the reign of Yongzheng. The Qianlong emperor remains vigilant. During his 27th year, 1762 CE, he appoints as Education Commissioner of Zhejiang for a three-year mission one of his most brilliant mandarins named Qian Weicheng.
Qian's career is a very good example of the extreme and multidisciplinary skills required to the mandarins. Received at the examinations at the age of 23 in the tenth year of Qianlong, he had become as a jurist an important member of the imperial bureaucracy. Poet, calligrapher and artist, he knows how to imitate the ancients. His poetry is pleasant and original.
In the tradition of the Qing imperial travels, Qian executes landscape drawings of the Zhejiang in handscrolls of great length. His view of the Yandang Mountains has been preserved.
On April 3 in Hong Kong, Sotheby's sells a 34 cm high scroll of ten landscapes of Mount Tiantai, for a total length of 4.60 m. It is estimated HK $ 50M, lot 3301.
The drawing without washes is of a topographical accuracy and includes the Buddhist monasteries and some human presence. Yet Qian, who had visited Yandang, did not walk Tiantai personally as his tour plans were each time abandoned due to bad weather. He was probably relying upon pre-existing images to avoid confessing this failure.
Each of the ten views is accompanied by a long descriptive commentary by Qian and by an autograph poem written by Qianlong and dated by him in 1774 CE, two years after the death of the artist. The artwork was removed from the Palace in the early 1920s by the last deposed Qing emperor in an effort to protect the imperial patrimony from looters.
Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's including the vision of moving grounds often practiced by this auction house.
1763 Bureau plat by Joseph with Sèvres porcelain plaques
2005 SOLD 6.9 M€ including premium by Artcurial
1765 Portrait of a Champion by Stubbs
2011 SOLD 22.4 M£ including premium
Serving wealthy English aristocrats, George Stubbs specialized in the topic of race horses. On December 8, 2010, Sotheby's sold £ 10.1 million including premium a very elegant study of mares and foals in a meadow, painted in 1767.
Made around 1765, the oil on canvas for sale by Christie's in London on July 5 is certainly more outstanding. It is estimated £ 20M. This is the portrait of a horse named Gimcrack, who was winning most of the races where he was engaged.
This broad composition, 102 x 196 cm, simple and effective, is divided into two parts, as seen on the audio shared by Christie's. On the left, Gimcrack shows his beautiful profile, surrounded by a coach, a stable boy and a jockey.
A race is held on the horizon, on the right. A horse is far ahead of his three followers. He is also Gimcrack, of course. He is therefore shown twice on that image that had everything to flatter the sponsor of the work, Lord Bolingbroke, owner of the champion.
Stubbs is very accurate in anatomical detail, but still shows horses galloping with their four legs flying above the ground. This feature, which can be excused one century before the studies of Muybridge, applies here only in the background and provides this work with an undeniable poetic dimension.
POST SALE COMMENT
Sold £ 22.4 million including premium, Gimcrack has once again won his race.
Made around 1765, the oil on canvas for sale by Christie's in London on July 5 is certainly more outstanding. It is estimated £ 20M. This is the portrait of a horse named Gimcrack, who was winning most of the races where he was engaged.
This broad composition, 102 x 196 cm, simple and effective, is divided into two parts, as seen on the audio shared by Christie's. On the left, Gimcrack shows his beautiful profile, surrounded by a coach, a stable boy and a jockey.
A race is held on the horizon, on the right. A horse is far ahead of his three followers. He is also Gimcrack, of course. He is therefore shown twice on that image that had everything to flatter the sponsor of the work, Lord Bolingbroke, owner of the champion.
Stubbs is very accurate in anatomical detail, but still shows horses galloping with their four legs flying above the ground. This feature, which can be excused one century before the studies of Muybridge, applies here only in the background and provides this work with an undeniable poetic dimension.
POST SALE COMMENT
Sold £ 22.4 million including premium, Gimcrack has once again won his race.
#GeorgeStubbs was born #OTD in 1724. We sold Gimcrack on Newmarket Heath in 2011 for £22,441,250 #WorldAuctionRecord #artistbirthday pic.twitter.com/B7fCB2eivD
— Christie's (@ChristiesInc) August 25, 2017
1766 Venetian Celebration
2017 SOLD for £ 2.63M including premium
Painter of Venetian views, Canaletto is also an illustrator, contemporary of Piranesi. His series of twelve views titled Feste Ducali is a masterpiece of his later career, printed by Brustoloni in large size around 45 x 57 cm in engraving and etching.
The artist compensates the absence of colors by subtle hues of gray wash. As in the paintings from all his career the monuments are shown as much as possible in the greatest extension of their facade. The characters are divided into small groups.
The Feste Ducali followed the election of a Doge which took place in April 1763. The publisher Furlanetto announced the twelve images for sale in March and July 1766 and commissioned their printing.
On July 5 in London, Sotheby's sells the original 39 x 55 cm drawing of the view with the coronation of the Doge at the Palazzo Ducale, lot 44 estimated £ 2.5M. This grand view is also a beautiful study of perspective and light. The Scala dei Giganti is seen in a slight angle, improving the effect of the shadows.
The group with the Doge is very far, at the top of the monumental staircase. Canaletto chose a position as if he were in the crowd of the anonymous spectators. Indeed this commercial artist had no official recognition. His reception at the Accademia veneziana di pittura e scultura took place in 1765 after a difficult election in September 1763.
The artist compensates the absence of colors by subtle hues of gray wash. As in the paintings from all his career the monuments are shown as much as possible in the greatest extension of their facade. The characters are divided into small groups.
The Feste Ducali followed the election of a Doge which took place in April 1763. The publisher Furlanetto announced the twelve images for sale in March and July 1766 and commissioned their printing.
On July 5 in London, Sotheby's sells the original 39 x 55 cm drawing of the view with the coronation of the Doge at the Palazzo Ducale, lot 44 estimated £ 2.5M. This grand view is also a beautiful study of perspective and light. The Scala dei Giganti is seen in a slight angle, improving the effect of the shadows.
The group with the Doge is very far, at the top of the monumental staircase. Canaletto chose a position as if he were in the crowd of the anonymous spectators. Indeed this commercial artist had no official recognition. His reception at the Accademia veneziana di pittura e scultura took place in 1765 after a difficult election in September 1763.
One of Canaletto's grandest drawings will star in our #OldMasters & British Works on Paper sale in #London next week https://t.co/25aqOzItzW pic.twitter.com/mmsYAe2gt1
— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) June 29, 2017
1767 Horses for English Lords
2010 SOLD 10.1 M£ including premium
Contemporary of Gainsborough, George Stubbs chose horses in landscapes as the main subject of his art. This theme evoked both breeding and sport, and was much pleasing to the English aristocracy.
In 1767 the artist creates the best of his work with the depiction of groups of mares and foals. A large oil on canvas, 100 x 187 cm, is one of his masterpieces. The animals are elegant and finely detailed, far more real than those of De Dreux or Herring in the following century. The image, slightly truncated, is visible in the press release shared by Artdaily.
The painting was kept by the same family of Lords since the origin and had been shown to the public in 2005 in the exhibition Stubbs and the Horse at the National Gallery.
It is now for sale by Sotheby's in London on December 8. For 30 years, no similar lot had been offered at auction, and Sotheby's expects a special price: £ 10M.
POST SALE COMMENT
It was bold to present this painting at such a price level. The challenge is won: £ 10.1 million including premium. Congratulations to Sotheby's.
In 1767 the artist creates the best of his work with the depiction of groups of mares and foals. A large oil on canvas, 100 x 187 cm, is one of his masterpieces. The animals are elegant and finely detailed, far more real than those of De Dreux or Herring in the following century. The image, slightly truncated, is visible in the press release shared by Artdaily.
The painting was kept by the same family of Lords since the origin and had been shown to the public in 2005 in the exhibition Stubbs and the Horse at the National Gallery.
It is now for sale by Sotheby's in London on December 8. For 30 years, no similar lot had been offered at auction, and Sotheby's expects a special price: £ 10M.
POST SALE COMMENT
It was bold to present this painting at such a price level. The challenge is won: £ 10.1 million including premium. Congratulations to Sotheby's.
1768 A Venitian Masterpiece by Francesco Guardi
2011 SOLD 26.7 M£ including premium
The wealthy English tourists enabled the development of vedute, these realistic paintings of urban scenes of Rome and Venice.
In Venice indeed, in the late 1760s, the uncontested master of the genre, Canaletto, is aging. He died in 1768.
It is certainly no coincidence that the most achieved works of Francesco Guardi date from the same period: Canaletto's position on the market was to be taken.
In this time of greater maturity, Guardi executed very few large paintings. The view from the Rialto Bridge, an oil on canvas 120 x 204 cm, for sale by Sotheby's in London on July 6, is exceptional. It is estimated £ 15M.
As ever, the architectures are much detailed. The dense and gentle animation is typical of Guardi, but the cloudy atmosphere and contrasting sunlight are worthy of Canaletto. This work was sold in 1768 : to an Englishman, of course.
It is shown in the press release shared by Artdaily.
POST SALE COMMENT
This exceptional painting was sold £ 26.7 million including premium, in the upper range of the estimates that had been ambitious yet.
In Venice indeed, in the late 1760s, the uncontested master of the genre, Canaletto, is aging. He died in 1768.
It is certainly no coincidence that the most achieved works of Francesco Guardi date from the same period: Canaletto's position on the market was to be taken.
In this time of greater maturity, Guardi executed very few large paintings. The view from the Rialto Bridge, an oil on canvas 120 x 204 cm, for sale by Sotheby's in London on July 6, is exceptional. It is estimated £ 15M.
As ever, the architectures are much detailed. The dense and gentle animation is typical of Guardi, but the cloudy atmosphere and contrasting sunlight are worthy of Canaletto. This work was sold in 1768 : to an Englishman, of course.
It is shown in the press release shared by Artdaily.
POST SALE COMMENT
This exceptional painting was sold £ 26.7 million including premium, in the upper range of the estimates that had been ambitious yet.
1768 From Both Sides of the Rialto
2017 SOLD for £ 26M including premium
A pair of oils on canvases is unique in the history of the vedutas by the conjunction of their monumental dimension, 120 x 204 cm each, with the maturity of one of the greatest artists of Venice, Francesco Guardi. The canvases are wider than the looms in use at that time and a nearly invisible join had been needed in the lower part of the image.
They show the commercial district of Venice, the Rialto, on the Grand Canal on both sides of its spectacular single arched covered bridge which housed shops. Through his picturesque animation and his luminosity, Guardi appears as a worthy continuator of Canaletto.
The sequence of monuments is correct but these panoramas are too wide to respect a unique perspective. The large format brings an abundance of details and an exceptional vision of the Venetian atmosphere.
Guardi worked from the collection of his autograph drawings and the modifications made to the monuments do not allow to date his paintings with accuracy. We will consider 1768 for this pair for two reasons. The death of Canaletto in April certainly generate great ambitions to Guardi suddenly becoming the best supplier of the tourists. The first owner was a young British aristocrat who had his tour in 1768, arriving in August in Venice.
The pair was separated in 2011. The view taken northward was sold by Sotheby's for £ 26.7M including premium on July 6, 2011. The view in the reverse direction is for sale on July 6, 2017 in London by Christie's, lot 25. The press release of 5 April announces that it is expected to exceed £ 25M. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
They show the commercial district of Venice, the Rialto, on the Grand Canal on both sides of its spectacular single arched covered bridge which housed shops. Through his picturesque animation and his luminosity, Guardi appears as a worthy continuator of Canaletto.
The sequence of monuments is correct but these panoramas are too wide to respect a unique perspective. The large format brings an abundance of details and an exceptional vision of the Venetian atmosphere.
Guardi worked from the collection of his autograph drawings and the modifications made to the monuments do not allow to date his paintings with accuracy. We will consider 1768 for this pair for two reasons. The death of Canaletto in April certainly generate great ambitions to Guardi suddenly becoming the best supplier of the tourists. The first owner was a young British aristocrat who had his tour in 1768, arriving in August in Venice.
The pair was separated in 2011. The view taken northward was sold by Sotheby's for £ 26.7M including premium on July 6, 2011. The view in the reverse direction is for sale on July 6, 2017 in London by Christie's, lot 25. The press release of 5 April announces that it is expected to exceed £ 25M. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Une toile monumentale (122x200cm) de Francesco Guardi fait partie de la vente Old Master à Londres le 6/07 https://t.co/99ODYfvEzn pic.twitter.com/hHqqm8dzHo
— Christie's Paris (@christiesparis) June 12, 2017
1769 Fragonard out of his Time
2013 SOLD 17 M£ including premium
Like all painters of his time excepted Chardin, Fragonard varied his styles to find customers. Influenced by Boucher, he early found fame in the theme of very young frivolous women with their games and passions.
Fragonard made a small series of oils on canvas known under the generic title of Portraits de fantaisie. Only one of these artworks is dated : 1769, the year of his marriage. It is not by chance.
Close to the aristocracy, Fragonard endeavours at that time to demonstrate that he may revolutionize the art of portrait. These paintings are comparable to the tronies made by Rembrandt. The likeness to the sitter is not the most important.
The movement of shoulders and head brings energy and even violence. Strong colors evoke passion. Fancy costumes "à l'Espagnole" provide a theatrical dimension that also positions the work out of its time.
Influenced by Chardin, Fragonard understood the importance of color. This series of fantasy portraits is an essential link in the history of art between Rembrandt and Manet. He will be the great-granduncle of Berthe Morisot.
Few models have been identified with certainty. Brilliant intellectual, François-Henri d' Harcourt enjoyed his portrait to the point that his family kept it until 1971.
This oil on canvas 81 x 65 cm was then purchased at auction by Dr. Rau. Coming now from this prestigious collection, it is for sale to the benefit of UNICEF by Bonhams in London on December 5.
POST SALE COMMENT
This painting has some exceptional qualities reinforced by the fact that it was one of the top masterpieces of the Rau collection and was sold for the benefit of UNICEF. It was sold for £ 17M including premium.
I invite you to play the video shared by Bonhams on YouTube:
Fragonard made a small series of oils on canvas known under the generic title of Portraits de fantaisie. Only one of these artworks is dated : 1769, the year of his marriage. It is not by chance.
Close to the aristocracy, Fragonard endeavours at that time to demonstrate that he may revolutionize the art of portrait. These paintings are comparable to the tronies made by Rembrandt. The likeness to the sitter is not the most important.
The movement of shoulders and head brings energy and even violence. Strong colors evoke passion. Fancy costumes "à l'Espagnole" provide a theatrical dimension that also positions the work out of its time.
Influenced by Chardin, Fragonard understood the importance of color. This series of fantasy portraits is an essential link in the history of art between Rembrandt and Manet. He will be the great-granduncle of Berthe Morisot.
Few models have been identified with certainty. Brilliant intellectual, François-Henri d' Harcourt enjoyed his portrait to the point that his family kept it until 1971.
This oil on canvas 81 x 65 cm was then purchased at auction by Dr. Rau. Coming now from this prestigious collection, it is for sale to the benefit of UNICEF by Bonhams in London on December 5.
POST SALE COMMENT
This painting has some exceptional qualities reinforced by the fact that it was one of the top masterpieces of the Rau collection and was sold for the benefit of UNICEF. It was sold for £ 17M including premium.
I invite you to play the video shared by Bonhams on YouTube:
1769 The School of Derby
2017 SOLD for £ 7.3M including premium
The Midlands are at the heart of the very first industrial revolution. The progress minded meet in Birmingham around Erasmus Darwin, the energetic and flamboyant animator of the Lunar Circle. Technical inventions and scientific discoveries are numerous and basic.
Joseph Wright is known with his pseudonym Wright of Derby. He lives in that town of the East Midlands but knows Darwin very well. This young artist enthusiastic of the new Enlightenment paints scenes of scientific experiments in a chiaroscuro style.
At the same time English artists gather in more or less formal clubs to better sell their art through exhibitions. Wright of Derby is a member of the Society of Artists of Great Britain. Keen to preserve his freedom of style and theme, he refuses to join the secessionists who create the Royal Academy of Arts in 1768.
On December 6 in London, Sotheby's sells An Academy by Lamplight, oil on canvas 127 x 102 cm painted in 1769 by Wright of Derby, lot 11 estimated £ 2.5M.
A group of boys is busy drawing the image of an antique marble placed above them on a piece of furniture or a pedestal. Depending on their age they are more or less captivated by this figure of the famous Borghese Nymph, in a freedom of action that they would definitely not have under the dogmatic teaching of the friends of Reynolds.
This night scene is illuminated by the warm light of a candle out of the field that gives to the marble a hue of flesh. The life size statue takes part in the atmosphere and the fascination that it exerts on one of the oldest boys demonstrates the link between art and life.
Please watch the animation shared by Sotheby's.
Joseph Wright is known with his pseudonym Wright of Derby. He lives in that town of the East Midlands but knows Darwin very well. This young artist enthusiastic of the new Enlightenment paints scenes of scientific experiments in a chiaroscuro style.
At the same time English artists gather in more or less formal clubs to better sell their art through exhibitions. Wright of Derby is a member of the Society of Artists of Great Britain. Keen to preserve his freedom of style and theme, he refuses to join the secessionists who create the Royal Academy of Arts in 1768.
On December 6 in London, Sotheby's sells An Academy by Lamplight, oil on canvas 127 x 102 cm painted in 1769 by Wright of Derby, lot 11 estimated £ 2.5M.
A group of boys is busy drawing the image of an antique marble placed above them on a piece of furniture or a pedestal. Depending on their age they are more or less captivated by this figure of the famous Borghese Nymph, in a freedom of action that they would definitely not have under the dogmatic teaching of the friends of Reynolds.
This night scene is illuminated by the warm light of a candle out of the field that gives to the marble a hue of flesh. The life size statue takes part in the atmosphere and the fascination that it exerts on one of the oldest boys demonstrates the link between art and life.
Please watch the animation shared by Sotheby's.
Under the spotlight: #JosephWrightofDerby's genius shines in ‘An Academy by Lamplight’ #London #SothebysMasters https://t.co/po6qAg1GTA pic.twitter.com/Pxw6phyOHC
— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) September 19, 2017
