The coat of arms of France and Navarre, surrounded with the Order of Saint Michel, supported by Fame, Glory and two putti

Details

Michel Corneille II (Paris 1642-1708)
The coat of arms of France and Navarre, surrounded with the Order of Saint Michel, supported by Fame, Glory and two putti
with inscriptions 'P.M.' (recto) and 'Paul Mignard fec[it]' (verso)
black and red chalk, pen and brown ink, brown wash, heightened with white, in an inscribed oval, on washed light brown paper
10 3/8 x 8 3/8 in. (264 x 213 mm.)

Provenance

Probably Pierre Mignard, Avignon.
Anonymous sale; Piasa, Paris, 18 June 2002, lot 25.

Special notice

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Lot Essay

This drawing, clearly a study for an official decoration as indicated by the arms of France and Navarre, is an important example of Michel II Corneille's draftsmanship. His use of a multiplicity of media, the precise outlines in pen and brown ink, the almond-shaped eyes and the fat-cheeked putti are particularly characteristic.
An old inscription on the verso of the drawing refers to Paul Mignard, son of Nicolas, whom Mariette records as an architect in Avignon who owned a collection of curiosities (P. de Chennevières, Abecedario de P.J. Mariette, Paris, 1854, III, p.389).
Paul's uncle, Pierre, enjoyed a close relationship with Michel Corneille both as teacher and ultimately as collaborator.

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