Louis-Félix de la Rue Mid-18th century; Paris, France Pen and brown ink on cream laid paper
Approximate size: 10 (h) x 15.5 (w) x .5 (d) in. (frame); 3.7 (h) x 12.75 (w) x .01 (d) in. (drawing)
Both Louis-Felix and his brother, Philibert Benoit, were prolific draughtsman active in Paris during the 18th century. The present subject, depicting a scene from Classical antiquity, is a theme found among various drawings by Loui-Felix which survive in both private and public collections (see for example MET inventory, 2013.60). It could be presumed this drawing, and those like it, may date from the first years of the 1750s when Louis-Felix was awarded the Prix de Rome from the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture in France, which entailed a three year and four-month residency in Rome. In particular, our present drawing seems to recall the sculptural relief work found on ancient Roman sarcophagi and may borrow from an in situ study of such an artwork or may alternatively copy antique sketches of such works.
Condition commensurate with age. Matted and set in a 20th century frame.
