The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 1, 2023

Theatre Scene (recto)

c. 1765–75

Part of a set. See all set records

Gabriel de Saint-Aubin

(French, 1724–1780)

France, 18th century

Pen and brown ink, black crayon and pink wash on laid paper (recto)

Sheet: 21.7 x 17 cm (8 9/16 x 6 11/16 in.)

Bequest of Muriel Butkin 2019.256.a

Location

not on view

Fun Fact

Because of Gabriel de Saint-Aubin’s focus on social events and contemporary culture, his drawings are considered important records of eighteenth-century Parisian life.

Description

Gabriel de Saint-Aubin was known for his distinctively sketchy style and interest in depicting performances such as dance and theater, the subjects seen here. The artist developed a distinctive composite style of sketching, and this work exemplifies his practice of covering both sides of a sheet of paper with diverse images in varying media.

Inscriptions

Inscription

Watermark: C(?) TORE(?)

Provenance
?-1954
N. Konstantinoff, Paris, France
?-?
Dr. Werteimer, Switzerland
(Charles E. Slatkin Galleries, New York, NY)
1954-1961
Curtis O. Baer [1898-1976], New Rochelle, NY
(Shepherd Galleries, New York, NY)
1976-2008
Muriel Butkin [1916-2008], Shaker Heights, OH
December 2, 2019
The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
Citations
Musée des arts décoratifs (France), and International Confederation of Dealers in Works of Art. Chefs-d'œuvre de la curiosité du monde: 2e exposition internationale de la C.I.N.O.A., 10 juin-30 septembre 1954. [Paris]: [Les Presses Artistiques], 1954. pl. 42 ingallslibrary.on.worldcat.org
Slatkin, Charles E. Exhibition of Drawings by Old and Modern Masters. New York: Charles E. Slatkin, 1956. pl. XIX
Charles E. Slatkin Galleries. French Master Drawings, Renaissance to Modern. A Loan Exhibition, February 10 Through March 7, 1959. 1959. p. 9, no. 46
University of Minnesota, Lorenz Eitner, and Sidney Simon. The Eighteenth Century: One Hundred Drawings by One Hundred Artists, a Loan Exhibition, January 24 to March 7, 1961. Minneapolis: University Gallery, 1961. p. 30, no. 84
Source URL: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2019.256.a