attributed to FRANCOIS BOUCHER (French 1703-1770) A DRAWING, "Venus Allongée et Cupid," CIRCA 1762, charcoal and chalk on cream laid paper, signed and dated L/R, "F. Boucher 1762," verso retaining the old cardboard back and some paper labels, one inscribed in ink, "F. Boucher No. 1082." 9 1/8" x 12" Note: The nude figure of Venus leans on a contoured left arm, her head turns to the right, while her beauty is viewed in profile. Her gaze focuses beyond her right arm as she rests on a sack pillow. Unadorned is her bed; Venus lounges upon billowing fabrics, which cushion the goddess from the unceremonious figured, knotted wood pallet bed. There is no suggestion of pretense here. The sleeping winged cupid innocently snuggles next to his mother's thigh, mimicking her outstretched pose. Below her are decadent fruits and flowers strewn about the lower left foreground. The infant cupid has carelessly tossed his quiver full of feather tipped arrows and bow at the center foreground. A good comparison is the present drawing with a print (collection number 1944,1014.576) at the British Museum. The British Museum holds two impressions which are reported to originate from a drawing composed in 1761, just one year before the present drawing. The difference between the two is, however; that the floor on The British Museum paperwork is clearly scattered with flowers, whereas the present work has the sketchy suggestion of apples, peaches or flowers on the floor, clearly distinguishing the two "odalisques" from the other. The British Museum work also lacks the figure of the wood palette seen only on the present work. Furthermore, the Kimbell Art Museum holds a drawing titled, "Recumbent Female Nude." The Kimbell figure's repose is very similar to the present work showing a more direct view of the interior right thigh, which is not typically apparent in Boucher's recumbent nudes, however is definitely seen here. The reclining nude female was a consistent theme for Francois Boucher over his lifetime; a luxurious talent for which kings, nobility, and collectors continue to seek out well into the 21st century. Finally, Alan P. Wintermute writes in Francois Boucher: His Circle and Influence, published by Stair Sainty Matthiesen of New York on pages 72-73, that when compared to other drawings by Boucher of the "Odalisque" genre, that this version seems "domesticated." Furthermore, he pens, "In the nineteen years between the first odalisque and this drawing, Boucher's inventive imagination has not been idle: from the exotic carnality of the East to an image of frank voluptuousness closer to home, he ends with an image of expectant desire presented in the guise of Ovidian myth." Literature: Frankel, Paul, "Boucher's Girl on a Couch," Essays In Honor of Erwin Panofsky, 1961; Ananoff, 1976, I, p. 413, no. 304/4, (as "Jeune femme couchée sur le ventre," 1762); Ananoff, 1976, II, p. 101, no. 412-2. Provenance: Richard Owen, New York; Joseph Verner Reed, New York; Stair Sainty Fine Art, Inc., New York; Private Collection.
Condition
Trimmed, mounted, a few foxing spots, but overall in good to very good condition, wear commensurate with age. The frame with some repairs. Simpson Galleries strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Simpson Galleries regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Simpson Galleries. All lots offered are sold "AS IS." NO REFUNDS will be issued based on condition.