Lot Essay
Ce dessin est une étude préparatoire de la figure dans la partie inférieure droite du tableau d'autel de Corot, encore in situ, dans l'église Saint-Nicolas-du-Chardonnet (voir M. Pantazzi dans Corot, 1796-1875, cat. exp., Paris, Galeries du Grand Palais, Ottawa, Musée des Beaux-Arts de Canada, et New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1996-1997, n°89, ill.). Datable entre 1845 et 1847, il s'agit de l'unique commande officielle que Corot ait citée comme ayant été 'l'évènement le plus important de sa vie' (ibid., p. 236). Son origine a largement été étudiée par Arnauld Doria dans deux articles importants (voir bibliographie). Une esquisse à l'huile de la même figure était également présente dans la vente d'atelier de l'artiste (lot 372).
This drawing is a preparatory study for the figure at lower right in Corot’s altarpiece, still in situ, at the church of Saint-Nicolas-du-Chardonnet, Paris (fig. 1; see M. Pantazzi in Corot, 1796-1875, exhib. cat., Paris, Galeries nationales du Grand Palais, Ottawa, Musée des Beaux-Arts du Canada, and New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1996-1997, no. 89, ill.). Dated 1845-1847, the painting is Corot’s only official commission, and has been called ‘the most important event of his life’ (ibid., p. 236). Its genesis has been studied extensively by Doria in two important articles (see literature). An oil sketch for the same figure was also included in the sale of the artist’s estate (lot 372).
This drawing is a preparatory study for the figure at lower right in Corot’s altarpiece, still in situ, at the church of Saint-Nicolas-du-Chardonnet, Paris (fig. 1; see M. Pantazzi in Corot, 1796-1875, exhib. cat., Paris, Galeries nationales du Grand Palais, Ottawa, Musée des Beaux-Arts du Canada, and New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1996-1997, no. 89, ill.). Dated 1845-1847, the painting is Corot’s only official commission, and has been called ‘the most important event of his life’ (ibid., p. 236). Its genesis has been studied extensively by Doria in two important articles (see literature). An oil sketch for the same figure was also included in the sale of the artist’s estate (lot 372).