(1683–1757)
A portrait of the painter Nicolas Vleughels (1668–1737) at the easel, black chalk, on bluish grey laid paper, a study of a putto in red chalk on the reverse, inscribed „Ghislandi“ in pen and brown ink, 22,5 x 18 cm, mounted, unframed, (Sch)

Provenance:
Collection Arthur Sambon (1867–1947), Paris, Lugt 3519;
Collection Giancarlo Sestieri, Rome.

The present drawing was perhaps preparatory for the painting „A portrait of the painter Nicolas Vleughels at the easel“ by Antoine Pesne in the Louvre (Inv. 7173) which Vleughels presumably executed during his sojourn in Italy between 1703 and 1713. The sheet’s outlines in the face and the profile of the easel show various pentimenti, the shape of the hat and the position of the hand differ from the painting as well. Drawing and painting may date before 1714, even prior to a pastel with a self portrait by Vleughels in the Louvre (Inv. 33297), which shows the artist with a somewhat rounder face at a later age. Vleughels returned to Paris in 1715 and became friends with Jean-Antoine Watteau, for whom he posed for many of his later drawings. The painting of Antoine Pasne was engraved by Edme Jeaurat (1688–1738) in 1725.

We are grateful to Dr. Nicholas Turner for the scientific research.

© RMN-Grand Palais (musée du Louvre) / Franck Raux