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ID #SA1236010
FOR SALE
£1,400
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The Head of a Beauty - 18th Century French School Drawing Circle of Francois Boucher (1703-1770)
For sale by Period Portraits
for sale €1,638     $1,778
£1,400
Period Portraits

Period Portraits

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2017
Browse dealers 47 items
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    Specialist dealer in portraits from the 17th century to the 20th century. Our stock includes quality oil paintings, drawings, and mezzotints
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The Head of a Beauty - 18th Century French School Drawing Circle of Francois Boucher (1703-1770)

18th century
For Sale by Period Portraits
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
35cm (13.78")
Width
28cm (11.02")
Depth
2cm (0.79")
Declaration

Period Portraits has dated this French Rococo Portrait Drawing to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1236010
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 18th-century French Rococo chalk portrait drawing of a woman, displayed within a pale blue mount and an antique gilt frame.
fig 1. The Head of a Beauty - 18th Century French School Drawing Circle of 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.
Period Portraits

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
35cm (13.78")
Width
28cm (11.02")
Depth
2cm (0.79")
Date of Manufacture

Period Portraits has dated this French Rococo Portrait Drawing to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1236010
Period Portraits
Period Portraits
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2017

Specialist dealer in portraits from the 17th century to the 20th century. Our stock includes quality oil paintings, drawings, and mezzotints

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Period Portraits Profile Page

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An 18th-century French Rococo chalk portrait drawing of a woman, displayed within a pale blue mount and an antique gilt frame.
1 / 6
Archive I An 18th-century French Rococo chalk portrait drawing of a woman, displayed within a pale blue mount and an antique gilt frame.

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

Archive II An 18th-century French Rococo chalk portrait drawing of a woman, displayed within a pale blue mount and an antique gilt frame. View II
Archive III An 18th-century French Rococo chalk portrait drawing of a woman, displayed within a pale blue mount and an antique gilt frame. View III
Archive IV An 18th-century French Rococo chalk portrait drawing of a woman, displayed within a pale blue mount and an antique gilt frame. View IV
Archive V An 18th-century French Rococo chalk portrait drawing of a woman, displayed within a pale blue mount and an antique gilt frame. View V
Archive VI An 18th-century French Rococo chalk portrait drawing of a woman, displayed within a pale blue mount and an antique gilt frame. View VI
Enlarged Archival View
Period Portraits

Period Portraits
Telephone 07889 859729
Location
North Yorkshire
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/periodportraits
Verified Since Jan 2017
Items For Sale 47
Items Sold 62
Period Portraits
Period Portraits
Verified Since Jan 2017
View Dealer Info
Location: North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/periodportraits
Verified
Jan 2017
For Sale
47
Sold
62
An 18th-century French Rococo chalk portrait drawing of a woman, displayed within a pale blue mount and an antique gilt frame.
The Head of a Beauty - 18th century French school drawing circle of Francois Boucher (1703-1770)
Ref: SA1236010
An 18th-century French Rococo chalk portrait drawing of a woman, displayed within a pale blue mount and an antique gilt frame.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectFine Art
  • Period18th century
  • StyleFrench Rococo
  • MaterialChalk, Paper, Giltwood, Glass
  • ColourGold and Sky Blue
  • MotifsTrois crayons technique, Oval vignette, Gilt moulding, Layered mount
  • SizeH 35 cm (14 in) x W 28 cm (11 in) x D 2 cm (1 in)

FAQs

French Rococo portrait drawings from the 18th century are characterised by fluid linework, soft shading, and intimate subject rendering, frequently executed using techniques such as chalk or trois crayons on paper.

Artists during this period primarily utilised hand-moulded laid paper, natural black and red chalks, graphite, and charcoal, often paired with hand-cut mounts and carved giltwood framing.

Authentic drawings often feature laid paper watermarks, age-consistent oxidation or foxing, natural pigment wear, and period-appropriate framing technique on the reverse.

Framed drawings can be positioned alongside contemporary minimalist furnishings or layered within a broader gallery wall to create visual contrast across period styles.

Works on paper should be kept away from direct sunlight and areas of high humidity, utilising conservation mounting materials and UV-protective glass.
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