Louis-Léopold Boilly - Lot 47

Louis-Léopold Boilly (La Bassée 1761-1845 Paris) Front: study for "Le Souper" (Supper) Reverse: study of a young woman for "Les Deux Sœurs" (The Two Sisters) Pen and wash, gouache (recto), pierre noire, estompe (verso) on paper 21 x 15.4 cm Related works : - Le Souper, c. 1789-1793, oil on canvas, 65 x 54 cm, private collection, 168P of the catalog raisonné Bréton Zuber, 2019 - The Two Sisters, c. 1789-1793, pastel on paper, 47.3 x 33.9 cm, Vienna, Albertina Museum (inv. 14910), 74D of the catalog raisonné Bréton Zuber, 2019 Our interesting double-sided study is linked to two more accomplished works, a painting and a finished drawing, both dated 1789-1793. In "Le Souper", a middle-aged woman is seated with a young man presenting her with a purse. Her gaze, full of desire, seems to turn to the young servant who has just brought her a glass of wine. As for the "Two Sisters", it shows a young girl interrupting her older sister's reading with a confidence whispered in her ear. This drawing was part of the collection of Duke Albert de Saxe-Teschen (1738-1822), but does not appear to be connected to any of the artist's engravings or paintings. Our drawing prepares the figure of the older sister. We would like to thank Messrs. Bréton and Zuber for kindly confirming the authenticity of this work, following a visual examination in October 2025. It will be included in the supplement to the artist's catalog raisonné. (one small tear and one small hole)