Jean-Baptiste Oudry

For the complete set of drawings from which this originates:
sold by the artist around 1751 to M. de Montenault, Paris, publisher of the folio edition;
J.-J. de Bure, Paris, 1828,
his sale, 1-18 December 1953, lor 344 (for 1,800 FF);
Count Adolphe-Narcisse Thibaudeau, Paris,
by whom given to the celebrated actress, Mme. Doche, 
by whom sold to the bookseller Fontaine (for 2,500 FF), 
from whom bought by Félix Solar (for 5,000 FF),
his sale, Paris, 19 November-8 December 1860, lot 627 (to M. Cléder, acting for Baron Taylor, for 6,100 FF);
with Morgand et Fatout, Paris booksellers, circa 1876 (acquired from Baron Taylor?),
by whom sold to Emile Péreire, Paris,
by whom sold to Louis Roederer, Reims
from whose estate acquired by Dr. A.S.W. Rosenbach, 1923,
from whom purchased by Raphael Esmerian, New York circa 1946,
his sale, Paris, Palais Galliera, 6 June 1973, lot 46 (2,000,000 FF.),
after which the first volume was sold to the British Rail Pension Fund and the second was dismembered and the pages sold separately

This drawing:
Bill Blass, New York,
by whom sold, New York, Christie's, 12 January 1988, lot 103;
Barbara Piasecka Johnson;
sale, London, Sotheby's, 5 July 2006, lot 144

For the very extensive literature on the whole group of drawings, see Opperman, op. cit., below, and also sale catalogue, London, Sotheby's, 3 July 1996, under lot 96;
J. Locquin, 'Catalogue Raisonné de l'Oeuvre de Jean-Baptiste Oudry (1686-1755)', Archives de l'art français, Paris, n.s., vol. VI, 1912, no. 1101;
H.N. Opperman, Jean Baptiste Oudry, 1977, vol. II, p. 700, no. D388

In very good condition. A few faint, isolated fox marks, and a little abrasion to the lower corners (with a small loss to the lower left), but otherwise the condition is fine, and the ink is still fresh and 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."

Between 1729 and 1734, while Oudry was employed at the Beauvais factory preparing designs for a series of tapestries, he also found time to produce no fewer than 275 drawings illustrating the Fables of La Fontaine.  Gougenot gives a romantic account of the artist working on the drawings late at night after his days at Beauvais.  In 1751 Oudry sold the complete set of drawings to Montenault (see Provenance), who announced their forthcoming publication.  Charles-Nicolas Cochin the Younger was in charge of the illustrations and made copies of Oudry's freely drawn originals for the engravers.  Oudry provided the drawing for the frontispiece in 1752, the first two volumes appeared in 1755, the third in 1756 and the fourth finally in 1759, thanks to a generous donation from the King himself.  Around 1755-60, the original Oudry drawings were bound into two albums, the second of which was broken up and dispersed after the Esmerian sale in 1973.  This drawing comes from that album.  The other album, in its original dark blue calf binding labelled on the spine: DESSINS DES/FABLES DE LA/FONTAINE PAR/I.B.OUDRY/PREMIERE PARTIE, has remained intact and was sold, London, Sotheby's, 3 July 1996, lot 96.  See also the following lot.

The subject of the fable illustrated here is the generous and attentive quality of friendship exhibited by two young men who live in an exotic foreign country.