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Lot Essay
Although several replicas and numerous copies exist of this composition (see Lesle, op. cit., under cat. no. 37), this recently rediscovered version is by far the finest known and seems to be Santerre's original, which was engraved by P. de Rochefort and appeared in the celebrated collection of contemporary French paintings assembled by La Live de Jully.
Santerre was born northwest of Paris in Magny-en-Vexin and entered Bon de Boullogne's studio upon his arrival in Paris. In 1704 he was received at the Académie as both a portrait and history painter with two diploma pieces, a portrait of the painter Noel Coypel and the famous Susanna at the Bath (Musée du Louvre, Paris), the pale palette and polished handling of which closely resembles the present lot. Because of its similarities to that documented work, The Singer should be dated c. 1704-10.
Santerre was born northwest of Paris in Magny-en-Vexin and entered Bon de Boullogne's studio upon his arrival in Paris. In 1704 he was received at the Académie as both a portrait and history painter with two diploma pieces, a portrait of the painter Noel Coypel and the famous Susanna at the Bath (Musée du Louvre, Paris), the pale palette and polished handling of which closely resembles the present lot. Because of its similarities to that documented work, The Singer should be dated c. 1704-10.