Circle of Jean Cousin
approximately 1490-1560?
Design for a Vase
15 1/8 x 9 15/16 inches (384 x 252 mm)
Pen and gray-black ink and brush and brown wash, with red watercolor, on paper, laid down cream card.
III, 65
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913) in 1909.
Notes
The decoration on this vase design celebrates the god Cupid. The uppermost register features a river god and Leda and the swan, below this is a band of grotesque masques, at center is a scene with Cupid on a pedestal being venerated, and below a masque flanked by a lion and a griffin, with the lowest register depicting putti and a pair of lovers surrounding a vase. Such decorative designs were popular in France, although the artist responsible for the present sheet is not known.
Drawing trimmed along outlines of the vase at the upper margin. Measurements included pieced out section of sheet. (A 3/4 inch strip of paper cut off at upper margin with the opening of the vase silhouetted).
Drawing trimmed along outlines of the vase at the upper margin. Measurements included pieced out section of sheet. (A 3/4 inch strip of paper cut off at upper margin with the opening of the vase silhouetted).
Inscriptions/Markings
Unidentified stamp at lower left, in black ink, rampant lion (not in Lugt). Inscribed in pen and black ink at lower right, "J. CR". (J. C. Robinson; Lugt 1433). On verso, in pen and black ink at upper left, cut off, "Nn/16"; in graphite at upper right, "11 6 8".
Watermark: lined.
Watermark: lined.
Associated names
Robinson, J. C. (John Charles), Sir, 1824-1913, former owner.
Murray, Charles Fairfax, 1849-1919, former owner.
Morgan, J. Pierpont (John Pierpont), 1837-1913, former owner.
Murray, Charles Fairfax, 1849-1919, former owner.
Morgan, J. Pierpont (John Pierpont), 1837-1913, former owner.
Bibliography
Collection J. Pierpont Morgan : Drawings by the Old Masters Formed by C. Fairfax Murray. London : Privately printed, 1905-1912, III, 65, repr. (as Jean Cousin)
Artist
Classification
Century Drawings
School
Catalog link
Department