The 2ft 4in x 3ft (72 x 91cm) oil on canvas is dated to c.1765, a few years after the artist had returned in 1761 from a five-year stay in Rome. The subject is historical, depicting a scene from Classical mythology: The Sacrifice to the Minotaur.
The work has a provenance to the Walferdin collection and the Jacques Doucet collection. It was at the latter’s sale in 1912 that the painting was acquired by the grandfather of the current owners.
The sale takes place on November 22, timed to coincide with the latest edition of the FAB Paris fair.
Also on offer will be a work by Louyse Moillon (1619-96) who specialised in still-life subjects. Peaches, apricots and plums on a ledge, an oil on panel measuring 10 x 13in (25.5 x34cm), is estimated at €500,000-800,000.
