Etude pour L'Enseigne de Gersaint, J 195, En 1720

Author(s): watteau, jean-antoine (valenciennes, 10–10–1684 - nogent-sur-marne, 18–07–1721), designer date of production: in 1720 dating in century: 18th century type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, drawing, modern times name(s): drawing dimensions - artwork: height: 16. 8cm width: 22. 7cm dimensions - frame: height: 43cm width: 53cm depth: 1. 5cm historical commentary: this three-pencil drawing, cut in its upper part, includes two standing men: a packer placing a portrait in a crate and a clerk carrying a frame. This is one of only two known sketches used for the installation of "the ensign of gersaint", a painting painted by watteau in 1720 (berlin, schloss charlottenburg, inv. Gki 1200-1201). The two figures sketched in this drawing are found on the left of the composition, but, for reasons of balance, they have been permuted by the artist. Mode of acquisition: legacy name of donor, testator, seller: cognacq, ernest date of acquisition: 1928 institution: cognacq-jay museum, the taste of the 18th century inventory number: j 195. Date: En 1720.