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Sculpted plinth with a medallion head

Maker

Attributed to
François Gonord (artist)
1756-1819

Title

Sculpted plinth with a medallion head

Date of Production

(?) 1771

Medium

black and red chalk with stumping on parchment

Dimensions

Height: 24 cm
Width: 18.1 cm

Accession Number

D.1952.RW.4147

Mode of Acquisition

Robert Clermont Witt, bequest, 1952

Credit

The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)

Copyright

Work in the public domain

Location

Not currently on display

Keywords








Label Text

Gonord specialised in portrait miniatures. This curious drawing – the attribution of which is disputed – appears to record a design for a sculptural ensemble, although the sitter’s head is rendered in red chalk, giving an impression of warm, living flesh at odds with the cool grey of the ornate stone plinth. The oval shape of the man’s head is the result of his puffy wig, a style in vogue at the time.

Provenance

J.H. Fitzhenry; Oswald Magniac, London; his sale, Christie's (London), 25 March 1949, lot 124 (with one other); purchased there by Hans M. Calmann, London (1899-1982) on behalf of Sir Robert Witt, London (1872-1952) (according to Witt's index card); Witt Bequest 1952

Exhibition History

Special Display - French Portraits, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 14/06/2013-02/09/2013

Neo-Classical Drawings, The Courtauld Gallery, London, November 1972-December 1972

Inscriptions

Watermark: Watermark: n/a.

Inscription: Recto: right lower edge, black chalk, signed by the artist? underlined: “gonord / fecit”; lower right corner, graphite: “gonord”. Verso: unable to check, as is secured at all sides to the mount.

Collector's mark: unable to check, as is secured at all sides to the mount.

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