109 - Gabriel de SAINT-AUBIN (Paris 1724–1780)

Gabriel de SAINT-AUBIN (Paris 1724–1780) The Declaration, Frédérique at Clitie’s Feet: a scene from Michel Jean Sedaine’s *The Falcon* Black pencil with highlights in pen and brown ink 14.3 x 9.6 cm Signed and dated 1771 in the lower left corner Slightly sun-faded, with a few foxing spots This drawing is a preparatory study for the gouache titled “The Declaration,” dated 1771, which depicts the same subject and has the same dimensions, and is now held at the Morgan Library, inv. 1958.2 (see E. Dacier, Gabriel de Saint-Aubin, catalogue raisonné, G. Van Oest Publishers, Paris and Brussels, 1931, Vol. II, pp. 30–31, no. 151). In his annotated copy, now held at the Bibliothèque Nationale, Dacier adds a summary of Michel Jean Sedaine’s play *Le Faucon* for this gouache. We would like to thank Ms. Kim de Beaumont, who kindly confirmed the authenticity of this drawing based on a photograph and provided the related information.