Jean-Baptiste Greuze

Louis-Michel Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau (1760-1793);
By descent until sold ("Property of a Nobleman"), London, Sotheby's, 9 December 1936, lot 80C, for £85 to A. Weil;
With Wildenstein & Co. Ltd., London;
From whom acquired by Mrs. Herbert H. Leas, London, 1936;
Thence by inheritance to the present owner.

J. Martin and C. Masson, "Catalogue raisonné de l'oeuvre peint et dessiné de Jean-Baptiste Greuze," in C. Mauclair, Jean-Baptiste Greuze, Paris 1906, cat. no. 960 (Enfant pleurant la mort de sa mère);
J. Martin, Catalogue du Musée de Tournus, Tournus 1910, p. 30, cat. no. 21 (Enfant en chemise).

Canvas appears to be unlined. under extremely dirty and discolored old varnish. the paint surface in the figure is well preserved and there is very nice thick impasto in the white drapery. there are some areas of seizing in the paint surface, especially in the area at lower right on the ledge and shells. also a bit in a portion of hair just above ear and in the dark shadowed area of hair at right side. under UV light: it is impossible to see anything due to the dirty varnish; there is one area that fluoresces at lower right in part of arm and sky, but this is due to the varnish in this area and is not a retouching. Offered in an elaborately carved and gilt wood and gesso frame with some small nicks and losses.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

We are grateful to Dr. Edgar Munhall who, based on firsthand inspection, has confirmed this painting to be a work by Greuze.  In a written communication, Dr. Munhall writes, “Dating this picture is somewhat problematical, but the loose and masterful brushwork…and the subtlest hint of eroticism suggest Greuze at work in all his maturity — probably in the 1770s."
An old copy of this composition, with differences, is in the collection of the Musée Greuze,Tournus.

Dr. Munhall’s original letter of expertise accompanies this lot.