Attributed to Gabriel-Jacques de Saint-Aubin. 1724-1780. French School 18th.Century. Black and white chalk drawing stumped in black chalk. An elegant couple. He in masquerade costume wearing butterfly wings, attended by winged cupids, a carriage waits in the street behind. Drawn on buff laid paper, Crown watermark and stamp to reverse with old attribution to Hubert Gravelot 1699-1773. Very slight foxing and area of skinning to no real detriment. Provenance: Alan Barlow (Eminent designer for the stage, 1926-2005). 19.5 by 22.5 cms.
From a distinguished family of artist's, St Aubin studied under Etienne Jeaurat and Hyacinthe Collin de Vermont. The distinctive aspect of Saint-Aubins' work is his inordinate fondness for observation of the characters on the streets of Paris, where he sketched scenes or entertainment on his travels. As such, his engravings, etchings and watercolours are a valuable record of the Parisian life in the 18th.Century.