JACQUES-ANDRE PORTAIL
1695-1759
THIS IS A CHARACTERISE EXAMPLE OF PORTAIL's USE
of red and black chalk in a manner reflecting the prece-
dent of Watteau. From the same source Portail was in-
spired to frequently portray musical scenes with great
subtlety and sensitivity. He also retained some of the po-
etic, rather introverted expressiveness that is present in
Watteau's musical and theatrical representations, though
his draughtsmanship is less dynamic and his expressive
values less rich than Watteau's own.
It has been noted by K. Pask that two female figures
posed similarly to those in the Museum s drawing appear
at the left in a drawing by Portail showing a more elab-
orate musical scene.^1 Furthermore the principal female
figure is a type that recurs with regularity in his draw-
ings. Two copies of the Museum's drawing are known
(formerly Viscountess Harcourt collection; Bourgarel
collection),^2 but on the basis of photographs, the former
probably—and the latter certainly—are not by Portail
himself.- Sold, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, March 9, 1988, lot 42.
- The former sold at the Hôtel Drouot, Paris, April 3, 1886,
lot 117; the latter is known to the author through a photograph
in the Witt Library, London.
164 FRENCH SCHOOL • PORTAIL67 A Music Party
Red and black chalk; H: 32.4 cm (i2^3 / 4 in.); W: 25.3 cm
(loin.)
88.GB.6o
MARKS AND INSCRIPTIONS: (Verso) inscribed Collection
CJusky(?) peintre in brown ink.
PROVENANCE: Private collection, England; sale, Chris-
tie's, London, December 9, 1986, lot 152; art market,
London.
EXHIBITIONS: None.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: None.