François Boucher

Sold framed. In excellent condition. Appears to be laid down on very thin japan paper. The edges possibly slightly trimmed. There is a small round hole on the central soldier's left elbow, which has been very neatly restored so is barely visible. The chalk still strong and fresh.
"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."

Comparable to a black chalk drawing by Boucher of a group of oriental figures, from the collection of Jean Montague Massengale.¹  The latter belonged to a group of drawings by the artist depicting men of biblical or oriental appearance, which was dated by Alastair Laing to circa 1760.

The drawing does not relate to a known painting or print, but it may represent an episode from Virgil: Aeneas consulting the Cumean Sibyl.  Boucher depicted a number of scenes from the Aeneid, all dated to 1747.  Ananoff lists two versions of a painting of The Forge of Vulcan, in the Louvre and a private collection, a lost painting of Aeneas presented by Venus to the Gods of Olympia, for which two compositional studies and an oil study survive, and a pair of paintings of The Apotheosis of Aeneas, both now lost.²

1. Sold London, Sotheby's, 4 July 2007, lot 107
2. See A. Ananoff, François Boucher, Paris 1976, vol. I, pp. 410-415, cat. nos. 302-7