Attributed to Eugène Delacroix (French, 1798-1863) Lion Studies/A Double-sided Sketch

Description:

Attributed to Eugène Delacroix (French, 1798-1863)

Lion Studies/A Double-sided Sketch
Stamped "E.D" in red l.r., inscribed with text in French along the bottom edge, identified on an invoice from Chamberlin Gallery, New York, dated November 11, 1988.
Graphite on laid paper, 9 3/8 x 10 1/2 in. (24.0 x 26.3 cm),in a double-sided frame.
Condition: Abrasions with punctures, toning, foxing, hinged at the corners to window mat (hinges broken on u.l. and l.l. corners with resulting small losses to sheet at these points).

N.B. The lot is accompanied by a copy of the invoice from Chamberlin Gallery including a short text, referenced above. It states that the text was compiled with the assistance of the Delacroix scholar, Professor Lee Johnson. It explains that the drawing relates back to a c. 1830 painting by Delacroix, Study of Lions. The text of the pencil inscription on the bottom of the drawing corresponds to Delacroix's journal entry of June 14, 1851, and reappears in an entry on April 27, 1854, in which the artist contemplated using images of lions in two paintings, one an allegory of genius attaining glory. However, the inscription on the drawing is probably not in the artist's hand.
Estimate $2,000-3,000

The red stamp "E.D" (Lugt, L. 838 or L. 838a) has a complex history. Frits Lugt first noted the red stamp used on Delacroix's drawings that were sold after his death, giving it the number L. 838. However Lugt subsequently refined his opinion, changing the description of L. 838 to timbre d'Andrieu. Pierre Andrieu was a student and collaborator of Delacroix who inherited many of the master's drawings and also bought them from the estate. After Andrieu's death, his heirs had a second ''E.D" stamp made and applied it unwittingly to works now thought to be by Andrieu as well as to authentic works by Delacroix. The new stamp had subtle differences from the original Delacroix stamp, now re-numbered by Lugt as L. 838a. The stamp on this drawing appears to share many, but not all, of the attributes of the original Delacroix stamp, L. 838a.


Items may have wear and tear, imperfections, or the effects of aging. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

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