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François Watteau
1758-1823.
A Seated Woman, Shading her Eyes from the Light
1785-1790
Black and white chalk on bluish paper.
Sheet: 21 15/16 x 15 1/2 inches (557 x 393 mm)
Gift of Janet Mavec in honor of the Morgan's Centennial
2023.123
Notes:
Contemporary fashion was a favorite subject of François Watteau, known as Watteau de Lille to distinguish him from his famous great uncle, Jean-Antoine Watteau. François designed the 188 plates for the first-ever fashion periodical, the Gallerie des modes et costumes français, and this large sheet is similarly not a portrait but rather more a genre depiction of a stylish contemporary, wearing the fashionable robe à la polonaise. The sitter in this intimate close-up was likely Watteau's wife or one of his six sisters, who often served as his models.
Inscription:
Watermark: D & C [BLAUW] and grapes
Provenance:
Charles Lenglart (1740-1816), Lille; Felix Dehau, Lille (his sale: Paris, Hotel Drouot, 23-24 April 1909, lot 161); Sale: Paris Hotel Drouot, 22-23 February 1929, lot 114; Matthiesen Gallery, London, 1950; Private collection, Germany; Le Claire Kunst, Hamburg, 2018; Private collection, New York.
Associated names:
Mavec, Janet, former owner.
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