Jacques Rigaud Marseille circa 1681 - 1754 Paris

Window mounted. Slightly rubbed and discoloured at the edges, and one or two very minor brown stains, but overall condition good and fresh. Unframed.
"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."

Rigaud is best known for his series of prints, after his own drawings, representing Les Maisons Royales de France, a project which he undertook in 1730, and which was eventually completed by his nephew, Jean-Baptiste.  A series of spectacular drawings of Marly, relating to this project, were included in the sale of the de Beistegui Collection, at the Château de Groussay.¹  The present drawing would, however, appear to depict an English house and its park.  In early 1733, Rigaud was invited to England by the King’s gardener, Charles Bridgeman, and shortly after his arrival, he was commissioned by Lord Burlington to produce eight views of the showpiece gardens that William Kent had laid out for Burlington at his Chiswick villa.  These Chiswick drawings, now in the Devonshire Collection at Chatsworth², show Rigaud exploring a somewhat different, more picturesque compositional type than is characteristic of his French views, an approach that is very similar to that seen here.

1. Sotheby's-Poulain Le Fur, 2 June 1999, lots 58-62

2. M. Jaffé, The Devonshire Collection of Northern Drawings, vol. V, London 2002, pp. 153-160