Lot 35
  • 35

Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot

Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
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Description

  • Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot
  • Tête d'homme barbu
  • stamped with the VENTE COROT stamp lower left; stamped with the VENTE COROT wax seal on the reverse
  • oil on card laid on canvas
  • 24 by 16cm., 9½ by 6¼in.

Provenance

Estate of the artist (sale: Vente Corot, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 26 May 1875, Paris, lot 369)
M. Diot, Paris (purchased at the above sale)
Henri Rouart, Paris
Galerie Dr Raeber, Basel
Moderne Galerie Heinrich Thannhauser, Munich
Sale: Sotheby's, Paris, 23 June 2011, lot 117
Purchased at the above sale by the present owner

Literature

Alfred Robaut, L'Oeuvre de Corot: catalogue raisonné et illustré, Paris, 1905, vol. II, p. 174, no. 472, catalogued (as Tête d'homme à grande barbe (Étude pour le baptême du Christ)); p. 175, illustrated; vol. IV, p. 235, listed and illustrated under Vente Corot

Condition

Oil on card laid on canvas. There is some faint hairline craquelure notably along the right edge where a small part is raised, however this appears to be stable. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals minor retouching addressing the aforementioned craquelure, and possibly old strokes along the framing edges. The picture is otherwise in good condition and ready to hang. Presented in a decorative gilt frame.
"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."

Catalogue Note

According to Robaut, Corot initially painted the present work as a study for a figure to the left of Le Baptême du Christ (Église Saint-Nicholas-du-Chardonnet, Paris), which was later omitted from the final composition.