Charles de la Fosse

Vente Peters, Paris, 9 mars 1779, no. 87;
Vente Vieuviller, Paris, 20 décembre 1781, no. 78 (vendu 29.19 livres) (papier collé sur toile);
Vente Godefroy, Paris, 25 avril - 15 novembre 1785, no. 42 (vendu 81 livres à Le Brun);
Vente de Saint-Martin, Paris, 7 mai 1806, no. 9 (vendu 24 francs à nouveau à Le Brun);
Vente Lebrun, Paris, 29 septembre 1806, no. 126 (vendu 14 francs à Mayer ou Potrelle).

C. Gustin-Gomez, Charles de La Fosse, 1636-1716, Catalogue raisonné, Dijon, 2006, v. 2, p. 144, no. P.P. 133 (Catalogue des peintures mentionnées et disparues).

The colours of the painting are with strong contrast compared to the catalogue illustration which is too yellow. The painting is actually a paper laid down on canvas. Respectable overall condition. Under a very dirty varnish which needs to be cleaned. The paint layer looks very nice and we note a slight restoration in the background. Under ultraviolet light: Under a thick and uniform green varnish. There are some dots of repaint in the background, around the face of the Virgin, under the face of St. Catherine and in her ear. In the lower right side, between the pinking wheel and St. Catherine left arm, there is a small restoration along the edge, due to the frame stress marks.
"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."

Comme le souligne justement Clémentine Gustin-Gomez dans le catalogue raisonné de l'artiste, ce petit tableau, passé de main en main entre 1779 et 1806, a fait l'objet de notices flatteuses qui différaient parfois dans la présentation de la composition, au sujet du support ou des dimensions : "L'exceptionnelle modestie du format et la précision de la description semblent pourtant prouver qu'il s'agit de la même oeuvre" (voir C. Gustin-Gomez, op. cit., p. 144, no. P.P. 133).

Nous remercions Madame Clémentine Gustin-Gomez de nous avoir confirmé l'attribution du tableau à Charles de La Fosse après examen direct de l'œuvre.


THE MYSTIC MARRIAGE OF ST. CATHERINE

Oil on canvas, oval

As Clémentine Gustin-Gomez rightly remarks in her catalogue raisonné on the artist, this small painting, which passed through several hands between 1779 and 1806, was the object of 'notices flatteuses' which differed in their description of the painting's composition, support and dimensions : "The exceptionally small scale of this work and the precision of the description indicate that they must indeed refer to one and the same work" ("L'exceptionnelle modestie du format et la précision de la description semblent pourtant prouver qu'il s'agit de la même œuvre" ; see C. Gustin-Gomez, op. cit., p. 144, no. P.P. 133).

We are grateful to Mrs. Clémentine Gustin-Gomez for having confirmed the attribution of the painting to Charles de La Fosse following first hand inspection.