Le Brun – Lion Hunt. One of the hunters in the middle of the scenery just grasped by the lion while another hurries up with a club. Behind mounted hunter with a spear. A single horse escaping to the left. In front right the dead lioness, in the back other partly mounted hunters under large trees. Pen and brown ink over pencil on vellum with black border line, possibly from the studio of Charles Le Brun (1619 Paris 1690). 435 x 572 mm.

Besides the delicacy of the drawing as due to the vellum

dominating  work , probably  as  preparatory  drawing  for  a  tapestry

of the Manufacture Royale des tapisseries et des meubles de la couronne and Nic. Fouquet’s Manufacture des tapisseries resp., the director of both Le Brun, peintre du roi since 1638, had been:

“ Besides his important organisational and artistic work for the tapistry … Le Brun executed together with his assistants … executed many decorative frescos … ”

(Thieme-Becker).

The attribution to himself on the back not confirmed by Fabian Stein because of a missing personal touch although

“ some elements of the figures … (show) similarities with compositions by Le Brun … One should but not forget that Le Brun often ‘quotes’ himself in such compositions, relying on Rubens or the Italian School i. g. ”

Inventory number “No: 150” in black ink at the bottom right corner. On the verso in pencil: Ch. le Brun. – Especially in the left upper heaven and tree part stained, hardly impairing only. Overlookable also the slight undulation caused by the warmth of the artist’s hand (see Meder, Handzeichnung, p. 169). A few pin small holes, only one large like a pinhead. Centre fold took out almost completely. Otherwise in very good condition as it is remarkable for such a large old master drawing and

filled  by  the  sumptous  dynamic  of  rich  early  hunt  for  one  of  the  Big  Five .

Offer no. 12,353  /  price on request

“ Thank you Mr. Niemeyer, The prints (you are delivered two weeks ago) are being framed right now. My framer is very particular (works for the National Gallery … ) and I am having a perfect frame made for the large Ridinger (the imperial stag hunt Th. 67). Best regards ”

(Mr. J. R. L., November 19, 2003)