Lot 78: François Watteau, called Watteau de Lille (Valenciennes 1758-1823 Lille)

A fashionable lady seen from behind; and A fashionable lady holding a fan
signed 'Watteau fils f.' (2)
black lead, partial watermark armorial with W (1)
12 x 8 1/8 in. (293 x 207 mm.) and 11 1/4 x 7 1/2 in. (286 x 191 mm.) (2)

These drawings are probably studies for Gallerie des modes et costumes française, (Paris, Eshauts and Rapilly, 1778-1787), a collection of 445 plates of French fashion, considered the first publication of its kind. Watteau de Lille made 118 drawings for this publication between 1784-87, which were engraved by six artists. Only about thirty of these drawings have reappeared since the 18th Century. For a full discussion of Watteau's drawings for this series, see G. Maes, Les Watteau de Lille, Paris, 1998, pp. 412-413.