French School, 18th Century

Double-sided Drawing: Compositional Study for Tancred and Erminia (recto), Fragment of a Seated Male Nude (verso)
Unsigned, with two collector's stamps (see below) l.r., inscribed faintly on the reverse.
Recto with black and white chalks on tan antique laid paper, verso black chalk, 9 3/4 x 12 7/8 in. (24.5 x 32.5 cm), unmatted, unframed.
Condition: Foxing, pale staining, irregular edges on two sides of the sheet, remnants of two rice paper hinges and a thin line of tape at top edge of the reverse.

N.B. Based on the collector's marks, ownership may be traced to Lucien Rouzé-Huet (Lugt L 1742) and Henri Ledoux (Lugt L. 4052).

The subject of this drawing comes from Torquato Tasso's Gerusalemme Liberata (Canto XIX, 112), an epic poem recounting the siege and capture of Jerusalem from the Saracens during the First Crusade. The scene depicts Erminia tending the wounded Tancred, whose limp body is support by his attendant Vafrino. Tancred's armor is shown in the foreground, while in the background is the corpse of the pagan giant Argantes, whom Tancred has slain. The bold and vigorous style of this drawing suggests it was a preparatory study for a painting rather than a book illustration, although several illustrated editions of the epic poem appeared in the 18th century.

Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging.