Lot 117: JEAN-JULES-ANTOINE LECOMTE DU NOÜY | Ramses dans son harem

Huile sur toile, triptyque

Panneau central 115 x 146,5 cm ; 45 1/4 by 57 2/3 in ; panneaux latéraux 128 x 77 cm ; 50 3/8 by 30 1/3 in

Huile sur toile, triptyque

Under UV lamp: Left wing : two large repaints on the thigh, in the upper right background, in the upper left décor and few repaints scattered on the composition. Central wing : Repaints on the chest and the face of the woman on the left, on the face and the right arm of the seated woman on the Ramses right, on the thigh, the bottom and hear of the red-headed woman (seated on the right), on the arm and the mirror of the up middle woman ; few repaints scattered on the composition. Right wing : large repaint on the left thigh, arms, body and headscarf of the dancing girl, on the faces of the seated women ; few repaints scattered on the composition. Please note : Few old repaints not clearly visible or invisible with the UV lamp, especially in faces, arms and hands of the women on the left wing, but some also on some parts of the left and middle one. A examination by a restorer would give more information.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Exposition d'Oeuvres Importantes par M. Lecomte du Noüy, Paris, Galerie D. Tripp, mars-avril 1886 (seulement le panneau central);
Salon de 1887, Paris, n° 1449;
Exposition Universelle, Paris, 1889;
Londres, Eastern Encounters, The Fine Arts Society, juin-juillet 1987

François Bournaud, Paris Salon 1887, illustré p. 37: "Quelle réunion de splendides beautés qui en forment la plus charmante parure! Ces femmes nues sont adorablement belles dans leurs diverses attitudes ... C'est une oeuvre d'une telle beauté du dessin, d'un fini si précieux, d'un si ravissant coloris, que je n'hésite pas à dire qu'un grand maître de la renaissance aurait été heureux de la signer";
Lucile Kitzo, La Petite Roumaine, 1900, pp. 134-135: "Voici enfin une des plus célèbres toiles du maître: la partie d'échecs du Pharaon, qui certes occupera un jour une place d'honneur dans une des salles des peintres français au Louvre";
Guy de Montgailhard, Lecomte du Noüy, Paris 1906, illustré p. 64;
Louis Gastine, Volupté d'Orient, Paris 1919, illustré p. 136;
James Harding, Artistes pompiers, French Academic Art in the 19th Century, Academy Editions, Londres 1979, le panneau de gauche est illustré p. 99, et la couverture en reproduit un détail;
Roger Diederen, Catalogue de l'exposition From Homer to the Harem : the Art of Jean Lecomte du Noüy, New York City, Dahesh Museum of Art, juin-septembre 2004, reproduit p. 106 (considéré comme détruit par le feu)

Collection Charles de Pauw, Bruxelles;
Vente Sotheby's Londres, 17 juin 1986, lot 34;
Julian Hartnoll, Londres;
Collection Setton, n°95