Lot Essay
Sir Joshua Reynolds visited Paris on three occasions in 1752, 1768, and 1771. Most probably on his second visit Sir Joshua met Francois Boucher and later recorded his visit to the artist's lodgings in the Louvre, J. Reynolds, Discourses, London, 1784,pp.224-5.
Ananoff listed only two sheets by Boucher bearing Reynolds' collectors' mark, L'Amor and Jeune Berger Accoude (A. Ananoff, Francois Boucher, Catalogue raisonne de son oeuvre dessine,I, Paris, 1966, nos. 274 and 828). Another drawing in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, is inscribed on the verso 'Given me by Boucher. J. Reynolds' (R. Slatkin, 'A Note on a Boucher Drawing',Burlington Magazine, CXV, 1973, p.676, fig.62). In addition, a sheet in the British Museum, London, representing A Woman seated with a Basket also belonged to Reynolds. Drawings valued above half a guinea by Reynolds' executors, such as the present study, were stamped on the recto while those of
Ananoff listed only two sheets by Boucher bearing Reynolds' collectors' mark, L'Amor and Jeune Berger Accoude (A. Ananoff, Francois Boucher, Catalogue raisonne de son oeuvre dessine,I, Paris, 1966, nos. 274 and 828). Another drawing in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, is inscribed on the verso 'Given me by Boucher. J. Reynolds' (R. Slatkin, 'A Note on a Boucher Drawing',Burlington Magazine, CXV, 1973, p.676, fig.62). In addition, a sheet in the British Museum, London, representing A Woman seated with a Basket also belonged to Reynolds. Drawings valued above half a guinea by Reynolds' executors, such as the present study, were stamped on the recto while those of