Master Drawings New York

My father always told me that time went faster as you got older and these days it simply whizzes by!

Here we are in 2013 and it is time for Master Drawings New York again.  Twenty-seven  dealers in works on paper will participate plus Sotheby’s & Christies who will have their auction sales at the end of January and beginning of February. On view at the galleries will be works dating from the 15th to the 20th centuries.

 For all the details go to  http://www.masterdrawingsinnewyork.com .  An easy to carry brochure with the list of exhibitor and where they are showing can also be found at any of the participating dealers.

Every year we put up some items that we have shown before as well as new acquisitions.  Even though it is called Master Drawings you will find that the exhibitions’ bottom line is works on paper in various Techniques.  We, for instance will show a few marvelous prints by Lucien Freud.

"Ib" by Lucien Freud

When you have been in this business as long as I have it is not just the big names that are of interest. I find it exciting to find works by less well known artists where they surpass themselves. For instance, on our announcement card you will find such a work; a portrait of a man by Jean-Baptiste Menuisier (1783- after 1819) who was a student of Jean-Baptiste Isabey.  You may remember that we had a wonderful oval portrait of a young lady in the same tradition by Isabey a few years ago.  Both works date from the first Empire and represent the intensely detailed portraiture of the period.

"Portrait of a Man" by Jean-Baptiste Menuisier

Next, I want to draw your attention to what at first looks like an architectural fantasy which caught me up in all its mystery and intrigue.  What are we looking at, where is this edifice?  Is it where Hansel and Gretle were held by the wicked witch?  Upon research it turns out to be one of the so-called “troglodyte” structures hollowed out of limestone formations in various areas of France. The drawing is by a  French artist by the name of Henri Brunet who was active in the 1930’s and exhibited with the “Indépendants” between 1931 and 1935.

"Troglodyte Structure" by Henri Brunet

Finally, the most interesting and scholarly of the lot.  A drawing by Nicolas Cochin (1610-1686) titled “Perseus and Andromeda Pay Homage to the Young Louis XIV”.  Cochin is better known for his prints and his drawings are rare, but others are known in the Bibliothéque Nationale and other French collections.  This image is so much a piece of propaganda that it may have very well been made in preparation for a print that either was never done, or not as yet found. The unusual aerial perspective of the background panorama is a device used in a book of the conquests of Louis XIV that Cochin illustrated.

"Perseus and Andromeda" by Nicolas Cochin

Oh yes, we do have a number of well known artists such as Delacroix, Pissarro, Mallet, LePrince and Gabriel de Saint Aubin on view as well that will interest you; but if you are also looking for a little adventure in your collection, take a look at some of our other offerings.

This Friday there is a universal opening at all the galleries. That is January 25 from 4pm until 8pm.  We hope that you will stop by then or during the following 10 days.  When you come do take a look at our price list, we have some pleasant surprises in store for you.