Pastel and ink drawing of a mythological scene, Bacchanalia, S. Vouay collection, 19th century
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A small drawing in pastel and India ink depicting a scene in the style of antiquity—mythological, in the neoclassical style of the 19th century. In the center, two figures (a man and a woman), unclothed and reclining, appear to be intoxicated, each holding a cup of wine, a symbol of the Bacchanalia.
A bird flies above them; the less defined background allows our gaze to be drawn primarily to the figures in the foreground. The historical significance of this drawing also lies in the presence, in the lower left corner, of the monogram in red ink, SV, signifying that this work belonged to the collection of Suzanne Vouay*; proof of its undeniable quality.
We cannot venture a certain attribution (this drawing is not signed) but it typically resembles the few drawings and studies made by Théodore Géricault (1791-1824) on mythological scenes ("Nymph and Satyr", "Leda and the Swan", "Ancient Sacrifice"...etc)
* Mrs. S. VOUAY (born in 1896), Paris. Modern prints.
Suzanne Vouay, born in Parthenay (Deux-Sèvres), assembled a very fine collection of modern prints in proof condition, and particularly lithographs by Daumier, many of them proofs and trial prints. A significant portion of the Daumier collection passed in 1936 to the Edmond Frapier collection (see L.2921a), while duplicates went to the Gabriel Cognacq collection (L.538d). She also had a group of selected proofs and drawings by 18th-century masters. See L.2538a. Listed in "Les marques de collections de dessins & d'estampes" (Marks of Drawing & Print Collections), an online edition by the Custodia Foundation.
This drawing is in good overall condition. It is presented in a gilded wooden frame.
Note: there are some minor damages and missing parts on the frame, see photos.