Pierre Dumonstier the Elder - Portrait of Admiral Bernard Nogaret
Pierre Dumonstier the Elder
Portrait of Admiral Bernard Nogaret
Black and red chalk on paper. 34 x 24 cm.
Framed.
The Dumonstier name belonged to an extended family of 16th century French artists descended from the miniaturist Jean Dumonstier, who was active in around 1520-1530. Three of his grandsons, Etienne II, Pierre I and Cosme II, went on to become renowned portrait painters and court painters to Kings Francis I, Francis II, Henry II, the Queen Mother Marguerite of Valois and Queens Catherine and Maria de' Medici. At the latter's behest the artist of the present work, Pierre II, travelled to the royal court of Vienna together with his brother Etienne in 1750 to paint portraits of her royal relatives. All three of the Dumonstier brothers as well as their sons were excellent portraitists, which has occasionally led to uncertainty in the attribution of their works.
The Parisian art historian Alexandra Zvereva, an expert on 16th century French drawings, attributes the present work to Pierre Dumonstier the Elder in her extensive expertise, dating it to around 1584-1585. She was also able to ascertain the identity of the sitter as being one Bernard Nogaret, Seigneur de la Valette and French Admiral (1553-1592). Dumonstier depicts the aristocrat with unusually fine strokes and great sensitivity. In its style and technique, the resulting drawing is quintessential of 16th century French courtly art in the tradition of Jean and François Clouet.
Certificate
Alexandra Zvereva, October 2011.
Provenance
French private ownership.
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Pierre Dumonstier the Elder
Portrait of Admiral Bernard Nogaret
Black and red chalk on paper. 34 x 24 cm.
Framed.
The Dumonstier name belonged to an extended family of 16th century French artists descended from the miniaturist Jean Dumonstier, who was active in around 1520-1530. Three of his grandsons, Etienne II, Pierre I and Cosme II, went on to become renowned portrait painters and court painters to Kings Francis I, Francis II, Henry II, the Queen Mother Marguerite of Valois and Queens Catherine and Maria de' Medici. At the latter's behest the artist of the present work, Pierre II, travelled to the royal court of Vienna together with his brother Etienne in 1750 to paint portraits of her royal relatives. All three of the Dumonstier brothers as well as their sons were excellent portraitists, which has occasionally led to uncertainty in the attribution of their works.
The Parisian art historian Alexandra Zvereva, an expert on 16th century French drawings, attributes the present work to Pierre Dumonstier the Elder in her extensive expertise, dating it to around 1584-1585. She was also able to ascertain the identity of the sitter as being one Bernard Nogaret, Seigneur de la Valette and French Admiral (1553-1592). Dumonstier depicts the aristocrat with unusually fine strokes and great sensitivity. In its style and technique, the resulting drawing is quintessential of 16th century French courtly art in the tradition of Jean and François Clouet.
Certificate
Alexandra Zvereva, October 2011.
Provenance
French private ownership.
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
