French school, early 19th century
Study for a decor with a statue of Eros in a niche
Black chalk and brown ink wash on paper.
254 x 156 mm – 10 x 6 1/8 in.
Wears several numbers on the back and stamp of French Customs.
Provenance :
– Collection Emmanuel Alfred Beurdeley ( 1847-1919 ), Paris ( L. 421) its stamp at the bottom right.
– Switzerland, private collection.
This drawing was, no doubt, developed with a view to the realization of a wall ornament. The framing, particularly neat with its rhythmic frieze of many diamonds, presents, on each side, at the upper part, an oval frame in which is inscribed a charming putto. These two oval arrays are surrounded by a country border which connects them to each other by forming a garland in the upper central part of the drawing.
In the center, perched on a column base resting on a pedestal, throne Eros, the god of Love holding in his right hand an arc.
On the central pedestal, flanked by two smaller ones, set back, surmounted by a vase, appears a trophy representing a quiver and arrows.
Condition report: very good condition.
