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Circle of Jacques Blanchard (French, 1600-1638). A 17th century French Baroque ink wash drawing attributed to the Circle of Jacques Blanchard featuring Ceres accompanied by putti in a bucolic setting. On the verso is a red chalk design for a panel with putti that is numbered “No 252″ at lower right. Ceres is the Roman goddess of agriculture, fertility, and motherhood. Her Greek equivalent is Demeter. In this composition, Ceres holds a scythe and sits upon a bundle of wheat to symbolize her association with agriculture. To her right, one putto playfully tugs at her garment, another carries a sizable bundle of wheat, and a third reclines against yet another bundle of wheat. In the background, a fourth putto gathers up some wheat while three more putti walk ahead carrying other objects. All is rendered in brown ink and wash. Size (drawing): 8.25″ L x 11″ W (21 cm x 27.9 cm) Size (frame): 16.625″ L x 18.5” W (42.2 cm x 47 cm)
On the verso is a red chalk design for a panel featuring putti and clouds surrounded by a symmetrical border of intricate Baroque foliage and zoomorphic motifs.
A rare 17th century French double-sided drawing featuring an ink wash drawing of Ceres accompanied by putti on one side and a red chalk panel design of putti amidst clouds on the verso, mounted in a custom frame.
Jacques Blanchard (also known as Jacques Blanchart) was a Baroque artist who was born in Paris and studied with his uncle, the artist Nicolas Bollery (1560-1630). His brother Jean-Baptiste Blanchard (after 1595-1665) as well as his son Gabriel Blanchard (1630-1704) were also artists.
Condition: Recto (Ceres & Putti ink wash drawing) shows a few crease marks. Verso (red chalk design) is numbered “No 252” in black ink at lower right and has a few handwritten notes in pencil i.e. “LRM” and “Cere”. Normal toning to nice laid paper commensurate with age. Mounted behind plexiglass in mat and wooden frame. Verso not visible in this frame, but perhaps one could have a professional framer reframe so that the verso could be visible as well.
Provenance: ex-Royal Athena Galleries, New York City, New York, USA; ex-Christie’s London, October 1993
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