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RELIGIOUS SUBJECTS

A

X. Adoration des bergers

Entered August 2020

Whereabouts unknown

Oil on paper

21.6 x 16.2 cm

 

PROVENANCE

Paris, collection of Gilbert Paignon-Dijonval (1708-1792). The painting is listed in the catalogue of the collection published by his nephew in 1810: “WATTEAU (Antoine) . . . Adoration des bergers: esquisse peint à l’huile  sur pap. H po. sur 6 po.”

 

SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bénard, Cabinet de M. Paignon Dijonval (1810), 137.

Macchia and Montagni, L’opera complete di Watteau (1968), cat. 7o – A.

           

REMARKS

Paignon-Dijonval’s collection was intentionally encyclopedic but, despite his lofty intentions, it was not error-free. His oil sketch on paper of Abigail fléchissant David, also supposedly by Watteau, proves to be by Nicolas Vleughels. Thus, without an image of the work, we cannot be certain if his Adoration des bergers was or was not by Watteau.

 

 

 

X. Adoration des bergers

Entered August 2020

Whereabouts unknown

Oil on canvas

97.2 x 37.8 cm

 

PROVENANCE

Paris, Famas collection. His sale, Paris, November 19, 1772, lot 45: “Idem. [ANTOINE WATTEAU.] Une esquisse representant l‘adoration des Bergers; on y découvre l’intention & l’esprit du Maître. Sur T. 36 pouces de large sur 24 de haut.” Sold for 24 livres, according to an annotated copy of the sale catalogue.

           
REMARKS

The sale price was very low for a painting truly by Watteau, even for a sketch, and especially for one of such  a substantial size.

 

 

X. Adoration des bergers

Entered August 2020

Whereabouts unknown

Oil on canvas

37.8 x 32.4 cm

 

ALTERNATIVE NAMES

La Nativité

 

PROVENANCE

Paris, collection of Monsieur B . . . de B . . .. His sale, Paris, Hôtel des commisaires-priseurs, January 23-24, 1837, lot 87: “WATEAU (Antoine). La Nativité; le sauveur vient de naitre, déjà plusieurs femmes l’entourent , les bergers avertis par la lumière céleste s’approchent pour l’adorer tandis qu’on choeur d’anges  environnés  d’une lumière éclatante célebrent par leurs accords la bien venue de divin enfant. T. h. 14 p., 12 p.”

           
REMARKS

This painting seems to have been overlooked in the Watteau literature.

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