Allégorie de l'eau

This watercolor is a study for a large decorative panel, executed in oil on canvas, which is dated 1767 and is now in a private collection, New York. This painting and its pendant, "Allégorie de l'air" of 1770, were featured in the sale of Mrs. Hubert W. Chanler (London, Sotheby's, 10 June 1959, lot 34). Based on their size and elaborated design, these large panels may have been intended as tapestry cartoons.