Félicien Rops Belgian, 1833-1898

This condition report has been provided by Jane McAusland FIIC, Conservator and Restorer of Art on Paper, Nether Hall Barn, Old Newton, Nr Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14. C O N D I T I O N R E P O R T SOTHEBY'S - SYMBOLISM AND THE POETIC VISION - 14 NOVEMBER 2007 Lot 290 Félicien Rops Belgian, 1833-1898 L'IDOLE (LES SATANIQUES) Pencil on paper 46 x 30 cm Support The artist has used sheets of paper with a printed base of cream on part of the sheets which have been cut from a larger sheet or sheets. Rops's use of this paper may have let to these drawings being labelled as prints. The condition is good. Medium The pencil and in places wash medium is also in a good condition. Note: This work was viewed outside studio conditions. JANE McAUSLAND London office: Flat 3, 41 Lexington Street, Soho, London W1F 9AJ Fellow of the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works Jane McAusland Limited trading as Jane McAusland FIIC
"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."

The present work depicts a diabolical version of Saint Theresa's religious ecstasy, in which the devotee has impaled herself on a statue of Satan. (Rops had previously explored the sexual nature of St Theresa's ecstasy in Thérèse Philosphe of 1868).

The story derived from an episode described by Teresa of Avila, a mystical cloistered Carmelite reformer and nun, in her autobiography, The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus (1515-1582). One chapter describes divine visions, including one where she saw a young, beautiful angel standing aside her body:

'I saw in his hand a long spear of gold, and at the iron's point there seemed to be a little fire. He appeared to me to be thrusting it at times into my heart, and to pierce my very entrails; when he drew it out, he seemed to draw them out also, and to leave me all on fire with a great love of God. The pain was so great, that it made me moan; and yet so surpassing was the sweetness of this excessive pain, that I could not wish to be rid of it. The soul is satisfied now with nothing less than God. The pain is not bodily, but spiritual; though the body has its share in it. It is a caressing of love so sweet which now takes place between the soul and God, that I pray God of His goodness to make him experience it who may think that I am lying.'

This work is sold with two heliogravures by Félicien Rops (Exteens, no.  786), each with the same image.