Circle of François Duquesnoy (1597-1643) Flemish, second half 17th century

with Alain Moatti, Paris, France;
on loan to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, United States 1994-2000;
European private collection

There is dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There is a restored break running vertically between Moses and the woman behind him, and another on the left side of the relief running vertically from top to bottom between the standing water carrier and the seated water carrier. There is a restored break to the upper left corner. There are some further small restorations, particularly on the right side of the relief, including: at the far edge and at the goat's proper left back hoof. There are some minor stable firing cracks, including near the left edge through the water carrier's neck. There are some small losses, including at the cow's proper left ear. The terracotta is covered in a reddish-grey slip, which has flaked in areas. The terracotta is set into an earlier wood frame, which has wear consistent with age, non-active worming, and some minor splitting consistent with material. Otherwise the condition is stable.
"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 present relief displays a thorough knowledge of the work of François Duquesnoy (1597-1643) who belonged to a Southern Netherlandish family of sculptors becoming one of the pre-eminent sculptors in Europe in the first half of the 17th century.  After training in his father's studio in Brussels, he travelled to Rome to complete his education. Duquesnoy was involved in the restoration of antique sculptures and, in the period 1625-1630, he produced a series of works in which he explored the motif of the young child  incorporating scenes with satyrs and classically draped nymphs and bacchantes (such as the figures in the present relief).  The particular form of the children with large foreheads and dominant jaws are also features of Duquesnoy's children. Compare, Bacchanal of Putti with a goat  dating to 1626 in the Galleria Doria-Pamphilj exhibiting a variety of layers of relief, a similar style of figure and an overall sense of animation with a classical overtone.

RELATED LITERATURE
E. Lingo, François Duquesnoy and the Greek Ideal, New Haven & London, 2007, pp. 52-53, fig. 37