Lot 606 | Charles Joseph Natoire | Allegory of Justice

NATOIRE, CHARLES JOSEPH
1700 Nimes - 1777 Castel Gandolfo

Title: Allegory of Justice.
Copy after the fresco painting by Perino del Vaga in the room of Constantine.
Technique: Red chalk drawing on paper.
Mounting: Mounted. Measurement: 55 x
39cm. Frame/Pedestal: Mat.
Verso:
Collection stamp Stanislas D'Albuquerque (born 1950 in Geneva).

Provenance:
Private ownership, France;
Christie's auction, Monaco, 20.06.1992, lot. 269;
Private ownership, Germany.

The present drawing, considered a copy of the Allegory of Justice painted by Perino del Vaga in the Room of Constantine of the Vatican Palace, was executed by Charles-Joseph Natoire (1700-1777) in his early period.
The even, strict, and dense hatching that generates contrasts of light and shadow, as well as the use of red chalk, attest to the creation of this work in his youth. As a fellow of the Académie de France à Rome in 1723-28, the painter devoted himself to copying Roman antiquities and Renaissance masters: his style during this period is reflected in the hatchings, which vary in thickness and intensity. Another typical feature of Natoire, which can be found in the figure of the allegory, are the elongated fingers, thin and bent at the end.

We thank Susanna Caviglia, Durham, for confirming the attribution of the present drawing on the basis of a high-resolution digital photograph.