Piat Joseph Sauvage (Tournai 1744-1818) - attributable

Pair of trompe l'oeil works

Putti near the Temple of Bacchus (link)

Putti fighting over an arrow (link)

Oil on canvas on panel, en grisaille

56 x 45 cm.

In frame 64 x 55 cm.

Provenance: Kent State University Museum (Ohio)

Milan, private collection

The paintings that we present here belong to a series of works presumably originally placed in the boiserie of a Parisian aristocratic palace. They depict a trompe l'oeil with, respectively, a group of putti intent on honouring the statue of the god Bacchus and a group of putti intent on quarrelling over an arrow: the works are attributable to Piat Joseph Sauvage (Tournai, 1744 - 1818) or his workshop.

They are two paintings en grisaille (grisaille), a technique that uses monochrome to simulate the visual effect of a marble bas-relief, where the lights and shadows of the carving are reproduced here solely by means of the full colour scale based on shades of green.

Piat-Joseph Sauvage was therefore considered to be a master of this technique, and this painting presents us with a particularly refined example of his talent, capable of deceiving the viewer who at first glance is persuaded that he is looking at a sculptural and certainly not a pictorial work.

Demonstrating a certain amount of creative genius combined with technical skill, the themes he particularly loved to illustrate in his illusionistic bas-reliefs were always mythological and allegorical, always populated by putti intent on playing or bickering.

The works were created to be set within the rich wooden panelling of noble palaces, often as overlays or in rather high areas where even the most attentive eye would be deceived as to their actual three-dimensionality.

After moving to Paris in 1774, he became a member of the Académie de Saint-Luc, and in 1783 he was admitted to the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, which enabled him to be appointed painter first to Louis-Joseph de Bourbon, Prince of Condé, and then to King Louis XVI.

The quality of his work allowed him to participate in the decorative undertakings of the royal residences and palaces in Paris, such as at Compiègne and Fontainebleau, Versailles. At the Château de Compiègne, formerly the royal residence of Louis XV of France, we find some canvases quite similar to ours (Link: https://compiegne-peintures.fr/essais/collection_ens11.php#bk0)

Many works are now in museums, such as those now in the Metropolitan but coming from the boiserie of the Hôtel Lauzun in Paris. One work in a series entitled 'Autumnal Sacrifice' shows the same subject as our painting (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/189552) and probably refers to a series dedicated to the seasons.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The paintings are complemented by two attractive gilded wooden frames and are sold with certificates of authenticity and descriptive iconographic cards.

We take care of and organise the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

Contact us for any information, we will be happy to answer you.

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