Victor-Marie Hugo

Estate of the artist (with the Gâtine inventory stamp and number 106/536),
by descent to the artist's grandson, Georges Hugo,    
by descent to his son, François Hugo,
by inheritance to his step-sister, Marguerite Hugo (by 1963),
by inheritance to her brother, Jean Hugo;
Private Collection, Geneva;
acquired by the late owner in December 1981

New York, Jan Krugier Gallery; Geneva, Galerie Jan Krugier, Victor Hugo and The Romantic Vision, Drawings and Watercolors, 1990-91, no. 28, reproduced;
Brussels, Musée d'Ixelles, Victor Hugo dessinateur, 1999, no. 20,  reproduced;
Aix-en-Provence, Galerie d'Art du Conseil Général des Bouches-du-Rhône, Victor Hugo et les siens. Deux siècles d'art et d'artistes, 2002, reproduced

R. Cornaille, G. Herscher, Victor Hugo dessinateur, Paris, 1963, p. 94, catalogued; p. 156, no. 210, reproduced;
J. Massin, Victor Hugo: Oeuvres Complètes, Paris, 1969, vol. II, no. 840, reproduced;
Linie, Licht und Schatten, Meisterzeichnungen und Skulpturen der Sammlung Jan und Marie-Anne Krugier-Poniatowski, exh. cat., Berlin, 1999, p. 406, reproduced;
The Timeless Eye. Master Drawings from the Jan and Marie-Anne Krugier-Poniatowski Collection, exh. cat., Berlin, 1999, p. 406, reproduced;
P. Georgel, 1850, Le Burg à la croix, exh. cat., Paris-Musées, 2007, p. 93, no. 59, reproduced

The sheet has been hinged to the mount along the upper edge, where there is an old horizontal crease (this is covered by the mat and not part of the composition). There is a tiny pinhead-sized puncture just to the left of the vase's base and there are some scattered minor spots of staining and surface dirt, including some old traces of black chalk which could date from the artist's studio. An old mat mark is present around the composition. Otherwise the work is in good overall condition. Presented framed and glazed, the edges of the sheet covered by the mat and not visible framed. For any questions regarding this lot please contact Richard Lowkes in the 19th Century European Paintings department on 020 7293 5477.
"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."

Executed circa 1850. To the left the vase bears the arms of William, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg (1516-1592); in the centre is a heraldic lion; and on the right in a cartouche, Saint Ursula. 

To be included in the forthcoming Victor Hugo drawings catalogue raisonné by Pierre Georgel.