Lost Lancret discovered by Sotheby's
September 14 2017
Video: Sotheby's
Sotheby's in New York will sell a re-discovered painting by Nicolas Lancret early next year. The painting, Winter, has been lost since 1889, and known only through an engraving. Says the Sotheby's press release:
The painting is part of a cycle of Four Seasons commissioned directly From Lancret by the French diplomat Jean-François Lériget de la Faye at a momentous point in the young artist’s career. While these works still exhibit the influence of his mentor, Antoine Watteau, their magnificent quality undoubtedly helped to establish Lancret’s name as an independent master. Voluminous, sweeping fabrics fall softly on his figures’ bodies and capture light in a way that exudes movement and gesture. With a transparency achieved through the application of refined glazes, Lancret conveys the nonchalant, voluptuous elegance of a winter’s afternoon where time stands still.
What an excellent video Sotheby's has made for this.
The painting will be sold in the Sotheby's winter Old Master sale in New York, which takes place on 1st February. So Sotheby's are so far sticking to their early date in the calendar, and not following Christie's New York's move to April.
