Old Sanguine Drawing

Hi, I managed to get this lovely old sanguine drawing at auction today and thought I'd share some photos while I wait for it to turn up. They didn't provide much information, except that it doesn't bear a signature and it's 36x24cm. I don't know it's age but I'm planning on researching it when it arrives. Thoughts?

 

It will be interesting to see if this is, indeed, an old sketch and not a print. Please open it and use acid free mat board for it. There appears to be foxing on the mat and can further damage the art. It will need to be well padded inside for protection from the acidic masonite board too.

You've not shown a photograph of the entire frame, nor one of the entire back, but if it is a drawing, the back must be taped-sealed up very tight? Indeed, will be interesting to see this opened up.

 

If the lady were not so loosely clad, I would think it was a study for a Madonna with Christ Child & young St. John the Baptist. Has that feel of one of Raphael's Madonnas.

 

Assuming it is original, I'd guess 18th C.

 

I'd think it was Rococco. But the type of thing that was widely reproduced. Good luck.

Debora

 

Ad targeted to students in 1961 University of Miami newspaper. No mention of gallery.

Debora

 

You know... That's going to be entitled The Toilette of Venus or some such. Here's the same subject by Boucher.

Debora

 

Now I'm thinking I've seen this before on these boards, that this is a detail of a larger Boucher painting. Venus or Diana. I remember the toe dipped in the water.

 

first reaction Boucher

 

This might be the Boucher image I had in mind. If so, it's a different picture from that shown by OP:

 

I definitely plan on doing this, thanks.

I agree, it does remind me a bit of a Madonna painting.

I think so too

 

on closer look left leg looks "off" a bit imo

 

What do you mean exactly? I think the lower part of her leg is just under her thigh

 

lower parts of legs are often under thighs!- left thigh looks a little disproportionate and awkward to my eye.
Just my opinion of course!

 

It is slightly disproportionate, Blooey. The left thigh is too long for the angle of foreshortening. It's my opinion too, now that you pointed it out. Thanks

 

Could be Venus bathing.

 

UPDATE: The drawing arrived today! I can confirm it is indeed an original drawing and not a print, which is a relief. It also has less foxing than I thought it did. The interesting thing is that up close, I think I can see a very faint signature in the bottom left corner, although it could just be my imagination. Does anyone know any good ways of enhancing a signature like that? I'll post some updated photos tomorrow

 

Did you take it out of its frame? Anything on the back?

Debora

 

Yep, I did take it out of its frame. I remember seeing 'something' on the back, it could have been writing, but I didn't pay much attention to it at the time, so I'll have to check again tomorrow.

 

Hi again, here are some photos I took of the sketch today. I thought there might have been a faint signature on it, but looking at it again, I'm pretty sure my mind was just playing tricks on me. Let me know if anyone sees any signatures though.
I suspect it's a study of a painting, so my plan right now is to try and find the painting. Photos (had to upload on imgur): https://imgur.com/a/U1mv57e