Jean-Michel Moreau, called Moreau Le Jeune

M. Maherault, Paris,
his sale, Paris, 27-29 May 1880;
with Galerie de Bayser, Paris, by 1990;
Private Collection, New York

M.-J.-F. Mahérault, L'Oeuvre de Moreau le Jeune, Paris 1880, p. 499, no. 563 (Bacchanale. Grand dessin.);
Probably E. Bocher, Les gravures françaises du XVIIIe siècle, ou Catalogue raisonné des estampes, Jean-Michel Moreau le Jeune, Paris 1882, p. 721, no. 204 (Bacchanale - Aquarelle)

Laid down on a paper backing, the present work has been hinge mounted in two places along the upper edge to a modern decorative mount. There are some minor abrasions to the extremities of the sheet and a few old horizontal creases, one of which has resulted in a small tear to the centre of the right edge. There is a tiny pin prick hole to the upper right corner and areas of the white heightening have been partially rubbed in areas. Some of the colours found in the areas of watercolour are a little muted in places, however the pen and ink medium remains very strong throughout this large and highly impressive sheet. Sold in a modern carved and 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 unusually large sheet, executed in a delightful combination of media, depicts a scene of Bacchic revelry, set in the seclusion of a wooded enclave, with satyrs and wood nymphs frolicking in the presence of putti. To the right of the composition, voyeuristic onlookers peep through the undergrowth to catch sight of the festivities taking place, all under the approving eye of Bacchus, who is represented in the form of a carved bust, festooned with grapevines. Whilst the impressive, large scale format of this drawing was typically reserved by the artist for his celebrated depictions of events surrounding the marriage of the Dauphin to Marie-Antoinette in 1770,¹ the present work, with its scenes of dancing and merrymaking, also perfectly embodies the hedonistic pursuits that came, in part, to epitomize the court of Louis XV at Versailles.

Whilst it is all too easy to focus one's attention on the gratifying encounters unfurling in front of the viewer's eyes, one should not overlook some of the more technical aspects of this drawing, in which Moreau le Jeune’s characteristic and energetic handling of the pen and black ink medium is totally evident, in particular in the group of onlookers on the right hand of the composition and the group of putti to the left. This, coupled with the bolder outlines, intended to enforce the central grouping, and the use of watercolor, gives this impressive work a vibrancy and richness rarely found on this scale in the artist’s graphic oeuvre.

^1. See sale, London, Sotheby's, 8 July 2015, lot 131