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ID #SA1230256
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£800
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The Head of a Beauty - 18th Century French School Drawing Attributed to Francois Boucher (1703-1770)
The English Interior
for sale €936     $1,016
£800
The English Interior

The English Interior

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2023
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The Head of a Beauty - 18th Century French School Drawing Attributed to Francois Boucher (1703-1770)

18th century
Description

Black, red and white chalk, irregular incised oval with traces of black ink. 170 x 120 mm. (6.75 x 4.75 in.)

It is possible to draw parallels between the fine and diminutive early 18th century drawing that we see here with the heads of young women that François Boucher produced during his career and specifically in the 1750s and 1760s.

Rather than portraits drawn from life these were often conceived as idealised types of female beauties following the artistic school of drawing that can be traced back to Florentine artists during the Renaissance.

Through the medium of red, black, and white chalks (“aux trois crayons”) – these studies of women’s heads gained a new immediacy and intimacy. Such is the case here with where individual features seem abandoned, with the function of simply pleasing the eye of the viewer…a beauty indeed!

Physical Dimensions
Height
17cm (6.69")
Width
12cm (4.72")
Depth
2cm (0.79")
Declaration

The English Interior has dated this French Rococo Portrait Drawing to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1230256
Description
Black, red and white chalk, irregular incised oval with traces of black ink. 170 x 120 mm. (6.75 x 4.75 in.)

It is possible to draw parallels between the fine and diminutive early 18th century drawing that we see here with the heads of young women that François Boucher produced during his career and specifically in the 1750s and 1760s.

fig 1. An eighteenth-century oval portrait sketch in red and black chalk depicting the head and shoulders of a young woman with wavy hair.
fig 1. The Head of a Beauty - 18th Century French School Drawing Attributed to Francois Boucher (1703-1770)

Rather than portraits drawn from life these were often conceived as idealised types of female beauties following the artistic school of drawing that can be traced back to Florentine artists during the Renaissance.

“
Through the medium of red, black, and white chalks (“aux trois crayons”) – these studies of women’s heads gained a new immediacy and intimacy.
The English Interior

Such is the case here with where individual features seem abandoned, with the function of simply pleasing the eye of the viewer…a beauty indeed!

Height
17cm (6.69")
Width
12cm (4.72")
Depth
2cm (0.79")
Date of Manufacture

The English Interior has dated this French Rococo Portrait Drawing to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1230256
The English Interior
The English Interior
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2023

Specialist dealer in 17th century to the 20th century fine art, furniture and decorative antiques for your home.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the The English Interior Profile Page

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An eighteenth-century oval portrait sketch in red and black chalk depicting the head and shoulders of a young woman with wavy hair.
1 / 5
Archive I An eighteenth-century oval portrait sketch in red and black chalk depicting the head and shoulders of a young woman with wavy hair.

The Head of a Beauty - 18th Century French School Drawing Attributed to Francois Boucher (1703-1770)

Archive II An eighteenth-century oval portrait sketch in red and black chalk depicting the head and shoulders of a young woman with wavy hair. View II
Archive III An eighteenth-century oval portrait sketch in red and black chalk depicting the head and shoulders of a young woman with wavy hair. View III
Archive IV An eighteenth-century oval portrait sketch in red and black chalk depicting the head and shoulders of a young woman with wavy hair. View IV
Archive V An eighteenth-century oval portrait sketch in red and black chalk depicting the head and shoulders of a young woman with wavy hair. View V
Enlarged Archival View
The English Interior

The English Interior
Telephone 07860 363 882
Location
The Duke of Somersets House
Kirkgate
Tadcaster
North Yorkshire
LS24 9AD
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/theenglishinterior
Verified Since Jul 2023
Items For Sale 71
Items Sold 65
The English Interior
The English Interior
Verified Since Jul 2023
View Dealer Info
Location: The Duke of Somersets House, Kirkgate, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, LS24 9AD , United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/theenglishinterior
Verified
Jul 2023
For Sale
71
Sold
65
An eighteenth-century oval portrait sketch in red and black chalk depicting the head and shoulders of a young woman with wavy hair.
The Head of a Beauty - 18th century French school drawing attributed to Francois Boucher (1703-1770)
Ref: SA1230256
An eighteenth-century oval portrait sketch in red and black chalk depicting the head and shoulders of a young woman with wavy hair.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Archival Detail

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FAQs

French Rococo drawings from the eighteenth century are known for their light, graceful line work, delicate cross-hatching, and focus on informal portraiture or decorative studies. Artists frequently employed techniques like aux trois crayons using red, black, and white chalks to achieve realistic skin tones and soft textures.

Drawings from this period were predominantly created on handmade laid paper, which displays visible chain lines and watermarks when held to light. Artists used natural chalk pigments, charcoal, and graphite, often executed on cream, beige, or blue-toned paper.

Authentic works on paper usually display age-appropriate characteristics such as irregular paper edges, natural foxing or oxidisation stains, and hand-laid paper texture. Examining the piece under magnification helps verify whether the mark-making consists of hand-applied chalk rather than a mechanical print reproduction.

Small antique drawings work exceptionally well framed in simple gilt or dark wood mouldings with conservation-grade mounts. They can be displayed individually in a narrow wall space or grouped together as part of a classic gallery wall in a hallway or living room.

Works on paper must be kept away from direct sunlight and high humidity to prevent fading and mould growth. Always frame chalk drawings using UV-protective glass and 100% acid-free, archival mounting materials, ensuring the glass does not directly touch the artwork surface.
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