Lot 124: Pierre Lélu (Paris 1741-1810)

Two women dancing with a comedian in a landscape
signed 'Lelu'
black chalk, pen and brown ink, brown wash in the original frame with a cartouche
6 1/4 x 8 1/8 in. (159 x 207 mm.)

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

The present drawing was engraved with minor differences by the artist, under the tittle Jean Bercher, dit Dauberval, danse un tambourin avec Madamoiselle Guimard et Marie Allard (Paris, Mairie du XXe arrondissement, 4 sècles de Ballet à Paris, 1985, no. 143). Dauberval (1742-1806) made his debut at the Opera in 1761 and became maître de ballet after having been a dancer. He left the Opera in 1785 to direct the Opera of Bordeaux. Mademoiselle Guimard (1743-1816) began at the ballet of the Comédie-Française in 1758 and entered the Académie-Royale four years later. Her best known roles were for Pygmalion, and Médée et Jason. She was very thin and well known for her nastiness but was none-the-less very influential. Marie Allard (1742-1802) was born in Marseille and was the mother of Auguste Vestris, the greatest dancer of his time. She made her debut in Marseille, danced in Lyon and then went to the Paris Opera from 1761 to 1782.
The present drawing was probably drawn around 1765-70, and was exhibited in the present frame in the life time of Pierre Lélu.