Jacques Rigaud

With Christopher Powney, London, by 1972, by whom sold in 1972 to Walter Brandt

This drawing has been carefully presented. The medium has remained strong. Apart from the existence of minor surface dirt, the paper has not discoloured. Throughout the sheet, but largely at the corners and extreme edges, there are several skilfully repaired tears and restorations. The largest of which measures circa 91 mm. The sheet has not been laid down.
"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's drawing dates from circa 1733 and shows elegant figures promenading near the Rotondo at Stowe House, Buckinghamshire. Sir Richard Temple, 4^th Bt., later 1^st Viscount Cobham (1675-1749) inherited Stowe in 1697.  In 1713 he employed the King's gardener, Charles Bridgeman (d. 1738) to design the parkland and together they created one of the most celebrated English landscape gardens of their day.

Jacques Rigaud was a distinguished Parisian draughtsman and engraver who had achieved great success in 1730, with a series of engravings, after his own drawings, representing Les Maison Royales de France. In 1733 Rigaud came to England and was commissioned, by Bridgeman, to execute a number of perspective views of Stowe and its gardens. These views were engraved by Rigaud and Bernard Baron (1696–1762) and were published in 1739. The present drawing was not one of the images chosen to be engraved.

Other English landscapes by Rigaud survive. There are fourteen views of Stowe House in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York and eight views of Lord Burlington's villa at Chiswick in the collection of The Duke of Devonshire.¹

1. M. Jaffé, The Devonshire Collection of Northern European Drawings, vol. V, London, 2002, pp. 730-737, nos. 1829-1836