Pays-Bas, fin XVIIe / début XVIIIe siècle Enfant soufflant des bulles

l'Enfant, assis sur un crâne, souffle une bulle de savon de la main gauche ; il tient une coquille Saint-Jacques dans la main droite

W. L. Strauss (éd.), Hendrik Goltzius, 1558-1617 - The complete engravings and woodcuts, New York, 1977, II, p. 589.

Good condition overall. The alabaster with natural veins. Some wear to the surface consistent with age and handling. The drapery partially missing to the proper right of the child and slightly retouched to his left. The surface of the alabaster slightly lumpy, especially on his arms and hands. His proper left leg reattached, and the drapery restored. A chip to the tip of his proper left foot. Some lacks to the thumb and to the lower right jaw of the skull. Two drilling holes to the left side of the skull, probably an old fixation. The skull and the child carved separately.
"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."

Le thème du jeune enfant assis sur un crâne et soufflant des bulles de savon, symbole de la vanité de la jeunesse aussi fragile qu’éphémère, est un sujet récurrent en Hollande dès la fin du XVIe siècle. Hendrick Goltzius (1558-1617) est l’un des premiers à diffuser cette iconographie par le biais de la gravure et, notamment, sur une estampe datant de 1594 et intitulée Quis Evadet [Qui sera épargné] (British Museum, inv. n° 1852, 1211.78; voir reproduction). L’Enfant joufflu, aux formes potelées et doté de larges mains, rappelle le travail de sculpteurs flamands à la suite de François Duquesnoy (1597-1643), dont son élève Josse Le Court (1627-1679), dit Giusto Le Court, principalement actif à Venise durant le dernier quart du XVIIe siècle. Signalons en particulier son allégorie de l’Hiver, sous forme d’un enfant retenant son chapeau d’une main et frileusement enroulé dans une fourrure qui ne recouvre que partiellement ses rondeurs encore poupines (Ca’ Rezzonico, Venise). Notre albâtre peut également être rapproché du travail de Jan Peter van Baurscheit l'Ancien (1669-1728).