Charles de la Fosse

Bears collector's numbering in brown ink, verso: 186

Unframed. The paper is rather creased, particularly at the edges and corners. Light foxing throughout. Some small losses and tears at the upper right corner, reinforced on the verso, and two small areas of thinning to the right of the upper figure. The chalk still strong.
"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 figures in the present sheet are preparatory for De la Fosse's late painting The Adoration of the Magi, now in the Louvre (fig. 1).¹ The painting, dated 1715, is part of a cycle of eight commissioned by Canon Antoine de la Porte for the choir of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris, for which De la Fosse also executed The Nativity. 

At least three other preparatory drawings have been connected with the painting: a compositional study in red and black chalk and pen and brown ink in a private collection, Lisbon, and two studies for the moors' heads in red and black chalk with touches of pastel, both in the British Museum.²

1. Inv. no. M.I. 316; see C. Gustin-Gomez, Charles de la Fosse 1636-1716, Catalogue raisonné, Dijon 2006, vol. II,  pp. 128-9, cat. no. P.193
2. Idem, respectively p. 214, cat. no. D.90 and pp. 198-9, cat. nos. D.51-2