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L’Indifférent (copy 1)
Entered December 2022
Whereabouts unknown
Medium unknown
Measurements unknown
ALTERNATIVE TITLES
Danseur s’exerçant
PROVENANCE
Paris, collection of M. Duff. His sale, Paris, May 10-13, 1837, lot 118: “Du même [WATTEAU (Antoine)]. Intérieure de bosquet. Danseur s’exerçant.”
REMARKS
There is too little information about the painting to reach any conclusion about it: its measurements and support are not known and we have no photograph. This is particularly unfortunate because this may have been the actual Watteau painting now in the Louvre. That painting’s whereabouts between 1808 and 1848 are unknown, and Duff’s painting is well positioned both chronologically and geographically to be that work: it was in Paris at the time La Caze was assembling his collection. Equally important, it was paired with a pendant, La Finette (lot 118, Intérieur de jardin. Jeune femme pinçant de la mandoline). But without knowing whether the Duff picture was on panel and if its measurements corresponded to those of the Louvre picture, we cannot be sure. There were other such pairs of pendants on the Paris market, but not at this early date.
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L’Indifférent (copy 2)
Entered December 2022
Whereabouts unknown
Medium unknown
29.2 x 20.3 cm
ALTERNATIVE TITLES
A Man Dancing
PROVENANCE
(London?), collection of J. C. Wombwell. His sale, London, sale, Phillips, June 4, 1850, lot 6: “A. WATTEAU. . . The companion picture. A Man dancing. Landscape. These pleasing pictures are painted in Watteau’s early manner, and are prettily colored. 11½ in. by 8 in.” The painting sold for £3-15.
REMARKS
This picture was paired with its proper pendant, a version of La Finette (lot 5, A Lady playing on a guitar). Although comparable in size to Watteau’s original paintings, now in the Louvre, the ones sold in London cannot be identified with the Louvre pictures because those were already in La Caze’s collection by 1848.
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L’Indifférent (copy 3)
Entered December 2022
Whereabouts unknown
Medium unknown
Measurements unknown
ALTERNATIVE TITLES
Danseur
PROVENANCE
Paris, sale, Hôtel Drouot, December 2, 1872, lot 108-09: “WATTEAU. (D’après) . . . Danseur et Musicienne.”
REMARKS
Although not referred to by their Jullienne titles, these pendants were no doubt L’Indifférent and La Finette. The descriptions and titles employed in 1872 were frequently used at the time.
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L’Indifférent (copy 4)
Entered December 2022
Whereabouts unknown
Medium unknown
Measurements unknown
ALTERNATIVE TITLES
Le Danseur
PROVENANCE
Paris, collection of Gabrielle Elluini (1849-c. 1921; courtesan). Her sale, Paris, March 12, 1883, lot 563: “MENAULT (MARIE, d’après WATTEAU) . . . Le Danseur. La Joueuse de mandoline.”
REMARKS
These copies after Watteau’s pendants were executed by Marie Menault—one of the rare instances where the copyist can be identified. Did Menault sign her works? One wonders if the artist was expressly commissioned to make these copies or was just attracted to their charm and grace. Certainly once the Watteau paintings from the La Caze bequest were put on public display, they quickly became popular.
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L’Indifférent (copy 5)
Entered December 2022
Whereabouts unknown
Medium unknown
Measurements unknown
PROVENANCE
Paris, sale, Hôtel Drouot, February 27, 1884, lot 66: “Watteau (D’après). L’Indifférent et la
Finette.”
REMARKS
Given the paucity of information about this painting and its pendant—no measurements, no indication of support, no photograph—we cannot link them with other known examples. Such pendants were available on the Paris market, but we lack these important details for them as well; see copies 1, 3, 4, 6.
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L’Indifférent (copy 6)
Entered December 2022
Whereabouts unknown
Oil on panel
Measurements unknown
PROVENANCE
Paris, sale, Hôtel Drouot, April 9, 1921, lot 98: “La Finette.—L’Indifférent. Deux peintures sur panneaux d’après Watteau.”
REMARKS
Measurements were provided for most of the paintings in the 1921 sale, but for no apparent reason, no such documentation was provided for these copies after Watteau. That said, it was specified that they were on wood panel (as were Watteau’s original paintings). It is not possible to link these paintings with other copies after these Watteau compositions.
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L’Indifférent (copy 7)
Entered December 2022
Whereabouts unknown
Oil on wood panel
25 x 20 cm
ALTERNATIVE TITLES
Pas de danse
PROVENANCE
Le Havre, sale, SVV Enchères Océanes, February 5, 2022, lot 58: Ecole XIXè d’après Watteau: Femme au luth et le pas de danse, paire d’huiles sur panneau, 25 x 20 cm, dans leurs cadres en bois et stuc doré de l’époque. Estimation 300 – 350€.
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L’Indifférent (copy 8)
Entered December 2022
Whereabouts unknown
Medium unknown
Measurements unknown
ALTERNATIVE TITLES
A Man Dancing
PROVENANCE
London, collection of Henry Fowler Broadwood (1795-1878; member of parliament). His sale, London, Phillips, June 13, 1848, lot 144: “WATTEAU . . . A Man dancing.”
REMARKS
Although the painting in question is not referred to by the name on the Jullienne print, there is little doubt that it was L’Indifférent. That it showed only a man dancing, apparently without a female partner or instrumentalist, leaves few alternatives. Moreover, L’Indifférent was often referred to in this manner in the nineteenth century, in both London and Paris sales; see copies 1-4, 9.
Henry Broadwood’s collection contained a sizable number of paintings by or at least attributed to Watteau, as well as many other French eighteenth-century works. A downturn in his personal finances in 1848 caused him to auction his collection.
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L’Indifférent (copy 9)
Entered December 2022
Whereabouts unknown
Medium unknown
Measurements unknown
ALTERNATIVE TITLES
Petit danseur dans un paysage
PROVENANCE
Paris, sale, Paris, Hôtel Drouot, collection of Madame C. and others, February 22, 1860, lot 27: “WATTEAU (ANTOINE) . . . Petit danseur dans un paysage.”
REMARKS
Although this picture is not referred to by the name on the Jullienne print, there is little doubt that it was L’Indifférent. That it showed only a man dancing, without a female partner or instrumentalist, leaves few alternatives. Moreover, L’Indifférent was often referred to just as “a dancer” in the nineteenth century, in both London and Paris sales; see copies 1-4, 8. Although the painting’s dimensions were not recorded, the adjective “petit” is also compelling evidence, whether it applied to just the figure or to the whole of the picture.
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L’Indifférent (copy 10)
Entered December 2022
Whereabouts unknown
Medium unknown
46.4 x 38.7 cm (or 47 x 34.5 cm)
PROVENANCE
London, sale, Sotheby’s, May 21, 1969, lot 248: “WATTEAU (after) . . . “L’INDIFFÉRENT” 18 ¼ in. by 15 ¼ in.” Sold for £95 to C. Thomas.
London, sale, Christie’s South Kensington, January 17, 1991, lot 198: “After Jean Antoine WATTEAU / L’INDIFFERENT / Oil on Panel / Height 18.5 in. Width 13.6 in / Height 47 cm.; Width 34.5 cm.” Sold for £55.
REMARKS
It seems likely that the paintings sold in 1969 and 1991 are one and the same. Even though we lack images of them, and the statistics in the 1969 catalogue are less full, nonetheless they are bound by one unusual aspect: their large dimensions. Whereas most copies of L’Indifferent reflect the small scale of the Louvre picture, both these pictures are essentially twice the size of the Louvre painting. Moreover, though less compelling, both paintings were on the London market.
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L’Indifférent (copy 11)
Entered December 2022
Whereabouts unknown
Oil on canvas
24.5 x 19 cm
ALTERNATIVE TITLES
Un Arlequin
PROVENANCE
Dijon, sale, Sadde, April 25, 2019, lot 244: “D’après WATTEAU. Huile sur toile représentant un arlequin dans un sous bois. Cadre. 24.5 x 19 cm. Estimation: 10-20 €.”
REMARKS
Referring to the man as Harlequin is obviously an error, but it is not a unique occurrence; see copy 12.
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L’Indifférent (copy 12)
Entered December 2022
Whereabouts unknown
Oil on canvas
25.5 x 20 cm
ALTERNATIVE TITLES
Arlequin
PROVENANCE
Nice, sale, Millon Riviera, September 26, 2019, lot 143: “Emile MORTAIMAIS / Arlequin d’après Watteau / Huile sur toile / Signé en bas à gauche et daté 1939 / 25,5 x 20 cm / Estimation 100-200 €”
REMARKS
Identifying the man as Harlequin is an error, but not a unique one; see copy 11. Little is known about the copyist, who appears to have worked in the Nice region.
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L’Indifférent (copy 13)
Entered December 2022
Whereabouts unknown
Oil on panel
19.7 x 27.3 cm
PROVENANCE
Hialeah, Florida, Omega Auction, October 1, 2014, lot 310: “Antoine Watteau . . . set of two oil on panel framed and signed paintings, signed lower left, 7.75” x 10.75” & with frame 15” x 12”. Est. $15,000-20,000 the pair.
Miami, Florida, Miami Auction Gallery, sale, August 31, 2015, lot 314: Jean Antoine Watteau. Untitled. Oil on wood panel signed painting, Height 10.8 in.; Width 7.5 in. / Height 27.3 cm., Width 19 cm, Signed. Estimate 7,500-15,000 USD. Bought in.
REMARKS
This picture has a pendant—a copy after La Finette. Despite the attribution of the two to Watteau himself, the so-called signature on one of them clearly states “d’apres Watteau.” That says it all.
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L’Indifférent (copy 14)
Entered December 2022
Whereabouts unknown
Oil on oak panel
30 x 21 cm
ALTERNATIVE TITLES
The Casual Lover
PROVENANCE
England, collection of a titled lady.
Cambridge, England, sale, Cheffins (online sale F090316), March 9, 2016, lot 533: “Manner of Jean Antoine Watteau . . . L’Indifferent or the Casual Lover / oil on bevelled oak panel, unframed, h. 30 w. 21 cm.. Watteau’s original composition is in the Louvre, Paris. Estimate £700-1000.”
Cambridge, England, sale, Cheffins, September 8, 2016, lot 575: Manner of Jean Antoine Watteau . . . L’Indifferent or the Casual Lover. Oil on bevelled oak panel, unframed, h. 30 w. 21 cm. Provenance: the Property of a Lady of Title. Watteau’s original composition is in the Louvre, Paris.
REMARKS
Judging from the published photograph, this work appears especially hard-edged, an effect heightened by the figure’s relative lack of modeling.
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L’Indifférent (copy 15)
Entered December 2022
Paris, collection of Roméo Fidanza
Oil on oak panel
27 x 21 cm
PROVENANCE
Paris, sale, Hôtel Drouot (Leclere), April 18, 2016, lot 124: “Ecole FRANÇAISE du XIXe siècle, d’après Jean Antoine WATTEAU / L’Indifférent / Panneau / 27 x 21,5 cm. / Reprise du tableau du Louvre / 600 – 800 €.” Sold for €600.
REMARKS
The picture is a straightforward repetition of the Louvre painting, both in color and scale. Also, the blurred quality of the landscape mirrors the present condition of the painting.
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L’Indifférent (copy 16)
Entered December 2022
Whereabouts unknown
Oil on panel
24.1 x 18.2 cm
ALTERNATIVE TITLES
Le Jeune danseur
PROVENANCE
Paris, sale, Hôtel Drouot (Caudron), March 11, 2020, lot 40: École Fin du XIX-ème Siècle: «Le jeune danseur.» Huile sur panneau. Fentes et griffures. 24,1 x 18,2 cm Estimation: 100-120 EUR”
REMARKS
Remarkably, the cataloguer made no reference to Watteau or L’Indifférent.
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L’Indifférent (copy 17)
Entered December 2022
Whereabouts unknown
Oil on panel
26.7 x 20.3 cm
ALTERNATIVE TITLES
The Indifferent Man
PROVENANCE
Tavares, Florida, sale, Rbfinearts, March 27, 2021, lot 300: Early Reproduction Painting On Panel Jean A. Watteau “THE INDIFFERENT MAN” Originally Painted in 1717. Measures 10.5 x 8” 150-250 USD Est.
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L’Indifférent (copy 18)
Entered December 2022
Whereabouts unknown
Oil on panel
26.7 x 20.3 cm
ALTERNATIVE TITLES
An Elegant Gentleman in a Landscape
PROVENANCE
Paris, collection of Victor Doat. His sale and others, Paris, Hôtel Drouot, May 26, 1883, lot 31: “WATTEAU (d’après) . . . L’INDIFFÉRENT. Bois. H. 0.30. L. 0.20.”
London, sale, Christie’s South Kensington, April 30, 1998, lot 223: “MANNER OF JEAN-ANTOINE WATTEAU / An elegant Gentleman in a Landscape – ‘L’Indifférent’ / oil on panel, octagonal, in a painted oval / 11 7/8 x 8 1/8 in (30.3 x 20.7 cm.)/ PROVENANCE: Mr. Victor Duat [sic]; his sale, 26 May 1883 (according to an old label on the reverse). Based on the picture in the Louvre, Paris, engraved in 1729 by Scotin. £2,000-3,000”
REMARKS
It may have been clever to render Watteau’s composition as an oval, but the modification is inept: there is too much empty space at the top, and too little at the bottom to accommodate the man’s shoes. Given the generalized nature of the landscape, the copyist appears to have relied on the Louvre painting, but he took liberties with Watteau’s color scheme; Watteau’s pink cape lined with blue is rendered here merely as blue.
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L’Indifférent (copy 19)
Entered December 2022
Whereabouts unknown
Medium unknown
Measurements unknown
ALTERNATIVE TITLES
Joueur de diabolos
PROVENANCE
Toulouse, unidentified owner, ebay 2022: “Joueur de Diabolos, Peinture Ancienne / HST XIXeme Antoine WATTEAU / L’indifférent / Prix 745,00 EUR.”
REMARKS
The string that runs from one hand to the other records the appearance of the painting prior to its being “restored” in 1939 by Serge Bogowalaecsky.
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L’Indifférent (copy 20)
Entered December 2022
Whereabouts unknown
Oil on panel
28 x 20 cm
PROVENANCE
Paris, sale, Wapler Mica, December 11, 2013, lot 134: “E. CLODINON, d’après WATTEAU, L’Indifférent et la Finette / 2 huiles sur panneau / signee“ et datée“ 1875” en bas à gauche / 28 x 20 cm chaque / Estimation 5-80 EUR.”
REMARKS
This copy was properly paired with the pendant La Finette. When the copies were executed, the original Watteau pictures had just entered the Louvre’s collection. Nothing is known about E. Clodinon.
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L’Indifférent (copy 21)
Entered December 2022
Whereabouts unknown
Medium unknown
Measurements unknown
PROVENANCE
Peyrolles, sale, unidentified owner, ebay, April 2022, “ancienne copie de peinture encadrée / l’Indifférent de Watteau. / Prix 75,00 EUR.”
REMARKS
The copyist took liberties with Watteau’s landscape and its color, especially at the right side, which suggest the impact of Impressionism.
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L’Indifférent (copy 22)
Entered December 2022
Whereabouts unknown
Watercolor on paper
22 x 16 cm
PROVENANCE
Paris, sale, Collin du Bocage, March 27, 2019, lot 55: “Ecole FRANCAISE vers 1900, d’après WATTEAU / L’indifférent / Aquarelle / 22 x 16 cm. Reprise du tableau d’Antoine Watteau conserve au Louvre (voir P. Rosenberg, Watteau-L’oeuvre peint, Paris, 1970, no 159, reproduit pl. XI). Lot présenté par Monsieur R. Millet. Estimation 120-150 €.”
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L’Indifférent (copy 23)
Entered December 2022
Whereabouts unknown
Oil on panel
27 x 20 cm
PROVENANCE
Tassin la Demi Lune, Artstory, ebay, September 2020: “Antoine WATTEAU . . . d’après L’Indifférent / Huile sur panneau, signé en bas à gauche Morland / état correct, anciennes traces d’un ancien encadrement, voir photos / Format: 27 x 20 cm”
REMARKS
The signature reads “V. Morland / Watteau.” The copyist may have been Valère Alphonse Morland (1846-1916).
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L’Indifférent (copy 24)
Entered December 2022
Whereabouts unknown
Oil on panel
24.5 x 18.7 cm
PROVENANCE
Maubeuge, sale, Thomas et Thomas Maison de ventes, June 2, 2018, lot 110: “WATTEAU Antoine (D’après) . . . 1-L'Indifférent / Huile sur panneau H. 24,5 - L. 18,7 cm 2-La Finette Huile sur panneau H. 24,5 - L. 18,7 cm Reprises du XIXe siècle des deux compositions d'Antoine Watteau de l'ancienne collection La Caze conservées au musée du Louvre (Cf. La Collection La Caze, Chefs - d'oeuvre des peintures des XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles, Fig. 74 & fig. 75, p.114; pp. 269 & 270 - RMN 2007) Expert: Monsieur Patrice Dubois Réf.: v091-1 / ESTIMATION 250-350€.”
REMARKS
The poor quality of the execution suggests that these pendants may have been executed in the twentieth century rather than in the nineteenth, as was claimed.
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L’Indifférent (copy 25)
Entered February 2024
Whereabouts unknown
Oil on panel
25 x 20.3 cm
PROVENANCE
Stamford, Connecticut, Greenwich Auction, February 15, 2024, lot 21: “After Jean A. Watteau Blue Bonde Rouge Painting / Antique 18th Century After Jean-Antoine Watteau Blue Bonde Pil on Board Painting Artist name is engraved at the back of the painting. Fame measures 18 inches x 15 inches, artwork is 8 inches x 10 inches.” Estimate $500-$1,000. Bought in.
REMARKS
The painting is not eighteenth-century in origin, but is one of the many modern replicas of the Watteau painting in the Louvre.
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