Jean-Baptiste Greuze

Chevalier de Damery (L.2862);
bears unidentified collector's mark on the mount, lower right

J. Martin, Catalogue de L'oeuvre de Greuze, Paris 1908, no. 289

Laid down on paper and then window mounted on an historic mount. The sheet has very slightly discolored and there is a very minor stain below the feet of the woman seated on the right. Otherwise in very fine condition, with the medium fresh and vibrant throughout. Sold in a giltwood 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.
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.

This charming and wonderfully mischievous composition depicts three children trying to obtain something from a pot, while a young child eagerly reaches out to the group, only to be silenced by a woman in the doorway.  Scenes of domesticity figure large in Greuze's oeuvre and this dynamic and animated drawing is the perfect example of his fascination with family life.

Children populate many of Greuze's compositions; some are obedient, some docile, some timid and some unruly.  The young child represented here flings his small arms out with enthusiasm, eager to be part of the action in front of him or to obtain the food that is most likely inside the pot.  It is this expression of emotion that Greuze is so skilled at conveying.

Greuze's genre scenes, all seemingly straightforward, often contain moralising messages for the viewer.  One can perhaps surmise that this image was intended to warn of the dangers of greed and impatience.

Greuze has produced a bustling snapshot of domestic life, delightfully capturing a timeless family interaction, a scene that is as relevant now as it was in France in the 18th Century.