- 2
Workshop of Pieter Coecke van Aelst the Elder
Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 GBP
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Description
- Pieter Coecke van Aelst the Elder
- The departure of Julius Caesar
- Pen and grey ink and wash within pen and grey ink framing lines;
bears inscription in pen and brown ink, lower left: Poussin
Provenance
With C.G. Boerner, Düsseldorf, 1962;
with Paul Drey Galleries, New York, 1973;
sale, Amsterdam, Christie's, 13 November 1995, lot 51;
sale, Amsterdam, Christie's, 10 November 1999, lot 301 (in both cases as an unidentified mythological scene, Attributed to Jan Swart van Groningen)
with Paul Drey Galleries, New York, 1973;
sale, Amsterdam, Christie's, 13 November 1995, lot 51;
sale, Amsterdam, Christie's, 10 November 1999, lot 301 (in both cases as an unidentified mythological scene, Attributed to Jan Swart van Groningen)
Literature
W. Wegner, Die Niederländischen Handzeichnungen des 15.-18. Jahrhunderts, Berlin 1973, vol. I, p. 31, under no. 134
Condition
Laid down. Overall in very good condition. Sheet relatively free from staining. Very light foxmarks scattered throughout - barely visible. Medium remains extremely fresh.
"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."
"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
This intriguing drawing is known in two versions, of which this seems slightly the more accomplished; the other is in Munich.1 The Munich drawing has been published at various times as Pieter Coecke van Aelst and as Jan Swart van Groningen, and more recently the name of Léonard Thiry has also been tentatively suggested,2 but the current consensus appears to be that the design is by an artist under the influence of Coecke, and that both versions of the drawing can best be described as 'Workshop of Pieter Coecke van Aelst.'
As Thomas Campbell has fascinatingly described, this drawing relates to an important but poorly documented series of ten tapestries showing scenes from the life of Julius Caesar, which were probably commissioned around 1540-42 by King Henry VIII.3 Apart from the two versions of this drawing and a single cartoon fragment, nothing survives in the way of drawn evidence relating to this major project.
1. Wegner, loc. cit.
2. T. Campbell, 'New Light on a Set of History of Julius Caesar Tapestries in Henry VIII's Collection,' Studies in the Decorative Arts 5, 1998, no. 2, p. 32
3. ibid, pp. 2-39