571 - Great Britain

Great Britain German, 18th century Meleager Presents Atalanta with the Head of the Calydonian Boar. 1769. Sepia and black pen on vellum. 24.5 x 19.5 cm. Signed, dated, and titled illegibly on the reverse. Mounted to a backing in places. Depiction of Meleager presenting Atalanta with the head of the Calydonian boar (based on *Metamorphoses*, Book VIII). The scene is set against a loosely rendered Arcadian landscape and accompanied by other hunter figures; Atalanta’s bow signifies her central role within the myth. The composition, executed with lively penwork and modeled through nuanced brown washes, follows the tradition of mid-18th-century academic history drawings. Characteristic features include the dynamic choreography of the figures, the narrative intensity of the scene, and the painterly treatment of light and shadow, which reveal affinities with French-influenced Rococo drawing as well as with Italian study sheets of the period. - Sheet has a tear in the lower left-hand corner. Overall in good condition. Sepia and black pen on laid paper. Signed, dated, and titled illegibly on the reverse. - Sheet has a tear in the lower left-hand corner. Overall in good condition. - Depiction of Meleager presenting Atalanta with the head of the Calydonian boar (based on *Metamorphoses*, Book VIII). The scene is set against a loosely rendered Arcadian landscape and features other hunting figures; Atalanta’s bow underscores her central role within the myth. The composition, executed with lively brushwork and modeled through nuanced brown washes, follows the tradition of academic history drawings of the mid-18th century. Characteristic features include the dynamic choreography of the figures, the narrative condensation of the scene, and the painterly treatment of light and shadow, which reveals affinities with French-influenced Rococo drawing as well as with Italian study sheets of the period. This lot is subject to standard tax. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union. This work is subject to the standard tax regime. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints, and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.