Bernard Picart, Old Master Drawing after Le Sueur, 1733, good provenance, framed

Size:  Drawing 167 mm square. Frame 34 x 34 cm.

Condition:  Drawing in very good condition, some minor spotting. Frame and mount new (with old label still on back).

This is a rare drawing with a good provenance and an interesting history. The drawing is in sepia wash, with an ink border and grey wash fill in the margins.  It is by Bernard Picart, and produced by him for his own engraving (see below for details).  The drawing has been squared for transfer to the copper plate. 

The drawing is inscribed at base "Le Sueur inv, B Picard D."  A label on the back confirms the attribution and also states that the drawing was from the Chariatte collection. This is confirmed by a small red "AC" ink stamp for Chariatte on the verso of the drawing (see image), and also the collection number L.88a is marked in pencil on the verso.

Eustache Le Sueur (1617-1655) was a French artist and one of the founders of the French Academy of Painting. He is known primarily for his paintings of religious subjects.  As far as we know the original painting of this scene no longer exists, but the Picart etching does exist.  The etching was titled  ‘Jacob Abreuvant les Troupeaux de Rachel.’ (Jacob feeding the herd of Rachel) and was further inscribed "Grave par B. Picart, d’apres le dessein de le Sueur du Cabinet de Mr. V Huls, a la Haye.".

The print was published in ‘Impostures Innocentes ou Receuil D’Estampes etc.... ‘, by Bernard Picart, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1734. 

Bernard Picart or Picard (1673 – 1733), was a French draughtsman, engraver, and book illustrator in Amsterdam, who showed an interest in cultural and religious habits.  Picart was born in Paris and died in Amsterdam. 

The collection of Achille Chariatte was partly sold at Sotheby's in 1923 and partly given to the British Museum. On the 30th April & 1st May 1923, Sotheby's hosted the Catalogue of Old Master Drawings and Modern Etchings from the collection of the late Monsieur A. Chariatte, of 36, Brondesbury Road, NW6. Most if not all of the old master drawings now held in galleries and museums bear the Chariatte collection number L.88a.