Lot 110: Joseph Goupy , Nevers (?) - by 1782 London mountainous landscape with figures Gouache within remains of black and gold framing lines, the reverse blackened; bears initials, lower right: GLN

Gouache within remains of black and gold framing lines, the reverse blackened; bears initials, lower right: GLN

measurements note 265 by 409 mm

This drawing records the composition of a now-lost painting by Salvator Rosa, which is known only from an engraving (in reverse) by Joseph Goupy.υ1 The verso of the sheet is blackened, which is highly unusual for a gouache. It suggests that the sheet may well originally have been Goupy's preparatory drawing for the print, which he subsequently worked up in bodycolor, to create a separate, independent work of art. Another gouache by Goupy after Rosa was sold in New York, Sotheby's, 29 January 1997, lot 203. 1. See L. Salerno, L'opera completa di Salvator Rosa, Milan 1975, p. 98, cat. 168