- 134
Circle of François Boucher
Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 GBP
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Description
- François Boucher
- Le galant entretien près d'un pigeonnier
- bears signature lower left: f. boucher
- oil on canvas, in a carved and gilt wood frame
- 31in by 44½in
Provenance
Collection Martin, Paris;
His anonymous estate sale, Paris, Tual, 4-7 April 1892, lot 159;
Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 28 June 1974, lot 19;
Private Collection, Geneva;
Anonymous sale ('The Property of a Gentleman'), London, Sotheby's, 1 November 1978, lot 32 (as by Boucher).
His anonymous estate sale, Paris, Tual, 4-7 April 1892, lot 159;
Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 28 June 1974, lot 19;
Private Collection, Geneva;
Anonymous sale ('The Property of a Gentleman'), London, Sotheby's, 1 November 1978, lot 32 (as by Boucher).
Exhibited
On loan to the Museum and Art Gallery, Brighton, 1970.
Literature
A. Michel, L. Soullié and C. Massen, François Boucher, Paris 1906, cat. no. 1731 (as by Boucher);
A. Ananoff, François Boucher, Paris 1976, vol. II, pp.183-4, cat. no. 512, reproduced figs. 1414 and 1415 (as by Boucher);
A. Ananoff, L'Opera Completa di Boucher, Paris 1980, p. 130, cat. no. 540, reproduced fig. 540 and colour plate 21 (as by Boucher).
A. Ananoff, François Boucher, Paris 1976, vol. II, pp.183-4, cat. no. 512, reproduced figs. 1414 and 1415 (as by Boucher);
A. Ananoff, L'Opera Completa di Boucher, Paris 1980, p. 130, cat. no. 540, reproduced fig. 540 and colour plate 21 (as by Boucher).
Condition
The picture has recently been cleaned and restored and is in good overall condition. The canvas has a fairly recent and rather rigid relining. The paint surface has been a little pressed by the relining. There is an old L-shaped tear of 4 cm. by 3 cm., upper left, which remains visible to the naked eye. The retouchings have all now discoloured. Inspection under ultraviolet light is hindered by a thick varnish layer, but apart from some repainting in the upper right hand corner, a touched-out old damage, lower right, and a few scattered minor losses, the paint surface appears to be well-preserved overall. The varnish remains clear and even.
Offered in a later, ornate gilt wood Rococo style 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."
"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
We are grateful to Alastair Laing for confirming that, following first-hand inspection of the original, he does not accept the traditional attribution to Boucher.