A large number of works on paper, particularly by Edouard Vuillard, will be offered in the single-owner sale of works assembled by Jos and Lucy Hessel on March 23.
The former will include an example of one of Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres’ (1780-1867) vast number of pencil portraits that he first began producing in Italy in his early career as a way of earning money.
This body of work includes both tourist portraits and studies of friends, acquaintances and patrons and their families.
Christie’s study depicts Louise Marcotte (1833-73), the 15-year-old daughter of Charles Marcotte d’Argenteuil, one of Ingres’ best friends and patrons. Ingres made no less than 20 portraits of different members of the family.
The 12½ x 9½in (32 x 24cm) portrait in pencil heightened in white is signed, dated and dedicated Ingres Del. à Madame Marcotte au Poncelet oct. 1848 and has a provenance back to the sitter.
It is estimated at €70,000-90,000.
