18th Century Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

This stunning Baroque study depicts a regatta boat, a type of vessel developed in eighteenth-century Venice for the regattas organized by the Serenissima during visits by royalty and princes. We propose to link this drawing to the work of Alessandro Mauro, an artist who specialized in this type of composition, as illustrated by a drawing from him at the Metropolitan Museum. 1. Description of the boat The greatest decorative fantasy reigns in this preparatory study, which blends mythological and exotic elements with references to ancient Egypt. Our drawing is probably an initial thought, destined to be refined and clarified later in pen and ink (as evidenced by the ink stain in the lower right). A quadriga of seahorses guided by Neptune stands at the stern of the boat, shown well above the waterline (perhaps to outline its empty volume). One of the seahorses is ridden by a newt, while Amphitrite lies at the feet of the sea god. The center of the boat is occupied by a vast baldachin resting on four atlantes and surmounted by a figure riding an animal (a dragon?). Three figures sit beneath the canopy, one of them on a griffin-shaped seat. This allusion to Egyptian antiquity echoes the winged sun (sometimes a symbol of the god Horus, as in the temple of Edfu in Egypt) that adorns the sides of the promontory on which this baldachin rests. Another flag-bearer figure crouches at the stern of the boat on a raised seat, on the reverse of which is a crowned mermaid whose arm, extended backwards, rests on a mascaron decorated with a radiant face (Helios?) and whose torso surmounts an elephant's head. The heads of the rowers and their oars are sketched all along the boat, whose sides are embellished with elongated naiads. 2. The Venetian regatta boats An exhibition held in 2013 at the Ca' Rezzonico (the Venetian eighteenth-century museum) paid tribute to these regatta boats through studies and prints depicting them. The regattas organized by the Serenissima in honor of visiting princes and sovereigns were among the most spectacular ceremonies in Venice. Some important artists of the 18th century contributed to the creation of these extravagant boats which were given exotic names such as bissona, malgarota or peota. The specialists in this field were Andrea Urbani and the brothers Alessandro and Romualdo Mauro. They were born into a family of theater decorators in Piedmont, but little is known about their detailed biography. Alessandro was the architect of the Dresden opera house and of the St. Samuel Theater in Venice (in collaboration with his brother Romualdo), but also worked as stagehand and set designer in Vienna, Rome and Turin. A drawing produced around 1737 from the Metropolitan Museum (7th photo in the gallery) bears witness to his activity as a regatta boat designer. This drawing is a much more elaborate version than the one presented here, having been entirely reworked in brown ink. However, a figure at the bow of the boat, executed solely in black chalk, still bears witness to a technique similar to that of our drawing. It is difficult to know whether the boat depicted in our drawing was a project for an actual boat or whether it remained in the planning stage, but the front of our boat (Neptune and the quadriga of seahorses ridden by a newt) bears several similarities to that of a parade boat depicted in the print published by Michele Marieschi entitled Regatta on the Grand Canal, between the Foscari and Balbi Palaces (last photo in the gallery). This print is dated 1741, which could confirm that our work dates from around 1740. The area between Neptune and the quadriga that precedes him on this strange paddle-boat appears to be partially submerged, confirming that the waterline of our boat was probably intended to be much lower than the one shown in our drawing. The Correr Museum’s collection holds one of the most important collection of engravings and drawings devoted to these specifically Venetian Baroque productions. These boats were intended to last the duration of a festival. Today, they are only documented by preparatory drawings or prints that testify to the sumptuousness of their decoration. This taste for regatta boats lasted throughout the Venetian eighteenth century, and the conception of regatta boats also attracted great masters such as Giambattista Tiepolo, Francesco Guardi or Giambattista Piranesi...

In this charming scene a maid appears bashful as she is introduced by her mother to the shepherd’s son. Ink and wash on hand made, cool-toned cream laid paper, 6 3/4 x 8 7/8 inches...

Graphite and ink on handmade, watermarked C & I Honig laid paper, 8 15/16 x 6 3/4 inches (226 x 170 mm). Signed illegibly in ink, lower margin. Scattered light creasing and surface...

Louis-Félix de La Rue (1730-1777)  A Mythological scene Pen and black ink on paper Bears an old inscription with the name of the artist on the lower left bo...

Samuel Phillips Jackson R.W.S. (British, 1830-1904) Untitled Landscape, 18th century Watercolor on Paper Sight size: 8 1/4 x 12 3/4 in. Framed: 17 1/2 x 22 in. Signed lower left: S.P. Jackson R.W.S. Samuel Phillips Jackson was born in the city of Bristol in September 1830, the son of the equally eminent watercolourist Samuel Jackson...

Atul Bose - Portrait of a Young Man Pencil on Paper 8 x 6 inches, 1935 (Unframed & Delivered) In this delicate pencil portrait, Atul renders the profile of a young man with remarkab...

Pen and sepia ink wash on cream laid paper, 4 1/8 x 6 3/16 inches (103 x 152 mm). In good condition with scattered areas of light brown discoloration, and un...

Jean-Baptiste LE PAON Paris, 1738 – Paris, 1785 Military scene near a castle Wash and ink on paper 25 x 31 cm (38 x 44 cm with frame) Signed and dated lower right: “Le Paon / 1785” C...

Anonymous Queen's College and the High, Oxford Watercolour 12 x 16 cm Initialled to bottom left This highly-detailed watercolour depicts everyday life in front of Queen's College...

This drawing by Johann Rudolf Feyerabend, known as Lelong, is a finely executed still life that captures a rustic yet elegant composition. The detailed rendering of objects—such as t...

Signed to the lower left. Presented in a gilt frame with foliate detailing. On paper.

Allegorical Scene is an original modern artwork attributed to the Louis Fabricius Dubourg in the first half of the XVIII Century. Original sepia drawing...

Figure of Man is an Original Pencil Drawing realized by Augustin de Saint-Aubin (1736-1807). Good condition included a green and white cardboard passpartout (65x48 cm). No signatur...

Study for a Frieze is an original drawing in pen realized by an anonymous artist in the 18th Cent. Good conditions but aged. The artwork is depicted through perfect hatching in a w...

Sacra Famiglia is a print artwork on paper in the late 18th century by an Anonymous Artist. Etching on paper Good conditions with slight foxing and age margins

Figure of Breton Woman is a beautiful ink and watercolor original drawing on wire rod and watermarked paper realized at the middle of XVIII century by Jan Peter Verdussen. This ori...

Goshun, Matsumura (Japanese, 1752-1811). SCROLL PAINTING - PAIR OF MALLARD DUCKS. Painted in colored inks on silk. Signed in Japanese, lower right. Not dated but likely late 18th to ...

French School, Portrait of a Lady, Rococo, 18th Century, Fine drawing in Pastel/ Oil Pastel on Paper in the style of Vivien. The Lady might be a woman from Marie Antoinette's Court. It is part of a Pendant (see the other listing with the portrait of Queen Marie Antoinette...

Alexandre PAU from SAINT-MARTIN Mortagne-au-Perche, 1751 - 1820 Three pencils 30 x 46 cm (46 x 60 cm with frame) Signed lower right "P. Saint Martin" Collector's stamp lower right "I...

Company School 18th Century Ramnagar Fort, India Pen & ink on paper Inscribed and dated 1793 Acid free mount This incredible detailed work would probably have been drawn by an En...

Rat of Sabinesis an original sanguine drawing on thick cream-colored paper, realized by an anonymous French artist of the end of XVIII century. A superb original drawing with skille...

Girl is a china ink drawing realized b Jan Peter Verdussen in the mid-18th Century. Good condition except for some missing parts in the lower left and right edges.

Landscape is a beautiful artwork realized by Jan Peter Verdussen. In good condition. illegible Hand-signed on the lower right margin. passepartout included ( 49 x 69 cm). The artwork represents a landscape river in sanguine drawing...

Camel is an artwork realized  in the 18th Century by an artisti follower of Stefano della Bella. Pencil Drawing.  The artwork is in good conditions . The artwork is depicted skill...

verso: signed and dated "H. Tavernier, 1779"

Ancient Ruins is an original old master artwork realized by Abraham Rademaker (1677-1735) in 18th Century Wonderful watercolor by the famous 18th-centur...

Rev. William Henry Barnard (Co. Donegal or Co. Derry 1767-1818 London) The Radcliffe Camera from the Great Quadrangle of All Souls College, Oxford Pen and brown ink and watercolour, on paper 30 x 44 cm Signed with initials 'H.B.' (lower right) Rev William Henry Barnard was an extremely well-connected artist and clergyman -being first cousin of Prime Minister George Canning...

Venice Landscape is an original, splendid drawing in pen and watercolor realized by an Anonymous Venetian School, XVIII century. The state of preserva...

Figure is an original drawing in china ink on paper. Good Conditions. Applied on a Passepartout. The artwork represents a figure of a woman through deft and smooth strokes, delica...

Attributed to Francesco Casanova (1727-1803), A Mamluk fighting on his horse, watercolor and ink on paper 35 x 26 cm Framed 54 x 44 cm (vintage frame, the mount and the back have b...

China ink and watercolour on paper. Hand dated. Good condition except for some foxing.

Drink Seller (Venditore di Bibite) is an original gouache drawing on paper realized by Michela De Vito, Naples. Hand-signed on the lower center. Titled on the lower center. The wor...

China ink and watercolor on paper. Hand dated. Conditions: Foxing on the top right of the paper

Louis-Félix de La Rue (1730-1777)  A Banquet scene Pen and black ink, brown ink wash on paper Diameter 21 cm In good condition In a modern frame under glass 30 x 30 cm Louis Feli...

Johan Jacob HOCH Mainz, 1750 - Mainz, 1829 Pencil drawing on paper 34 x 22 cm (50 x 41 cm with frame) Signed and dated lower left "Johann Jacob Hoch / July 1778" Pitch pine frame wit...

A heartwarming sepia study of a shepherdess comforting her young baby. Well-presented in a contemporary gilt-effect frame. Unsigned. On paper.

Landscape with Figures in the English Countryside Pen, ink and graphite with gray and brown washes on laid watermarked paper, c. 1740 Signed by the artist lower left of image: "Chate...

Peter Birmann Basel 1758 - 1844 The Vicovaro grotto Gouache on blue paper 29 x 47cm Provenance: Kasimir Hagen, Cologne, his stamp (Lugt 4795) on verso Exhibition: Europaïsche ...

Early naturalistic wildlife rendering by the English artist Peter Paillou. The work features a delicately rendered depiction of a possible capuchin monke...

Carle Vernet (French, 1758 – 1836) ‘La Marchande de Coco’; and ‘La Tour de Babbe d’un Charbonnier’ Ink, watercolour on paper Both signed C Vernet and Carle Vernet (lower left and lower right respectively) 12.1/4 x 9 in. (31 x 22.8 cm.) A pair Vernet was born in Bordeaux. At the age of five, he showed an extraordinary passion for drawing horses, but went through the regular academical course as a pupil of his father and of Nicolas-Bernard Lépicié. Strangely, after winning the grand prix (1782), he seemed to lose interest in the profession, and his father had to recall him back from Rome to France to prevent him from entering a monastery. In his Triumph of Aemilius Paulus, he broke with tradition and drew the horse with the forms he had learnt from nature in stables and riding-schools. His hunting-pieces, races, landscapes, and work as a lithographer were also very popular. Carle's sister was executed by the guillotine during the Revolution. After this, he gave up art. When he again began to produce under the French Directory (1795–1799), his style had changed radically. He started drawing in minute detail battles and campaigns to glorify Napoleon. His drawings of Napoleon...

Late 18th century mixed media portrait of the head of an old man, perhaps the biblical figure Moses. Italian school . Composed of graphite, colored chalk, watercolor and gouache on ...

Signed and dated indistinctly under the mount. Presented in a gilt frame and wash-line mount. On paper.

"Roman Ruins" is an original pencil drawing on ivory-colorated cardboard by Anonymous Artist of XVIII Century. In excellent conditions: As good as new. This is an original drawing ...

"Sammlung Verschiedenr Auslandischer und Selener Vogel", Nuremberg 1770-1773. Edited by Johann Michael Seligmann (1749 -1776): engravings with original hand-colouring after the drawi...

French School, 18th century Study of foot skeleton Beautiful study in the period's frame. Dimensions with frame 44 x 53 cm

A fine 18th century portrait in watercolours, depicting a blind man seated in an expansive country landscape. The artist delicate brushwork and monochrome pa...

Virgin on a Winged Cart is a brown-ink drawing with watercolor interventions on paper made by an anonymous artist of the Neoclassical school (Second half of 18th century). From the ...

A delightful watercolour study depicting a young woman wearing a dress and smock. She points to her left hands showing her palm to the viewer. The artist captures her with a delicate...

A classic Grand Tour composition. English School, 18th Century Still life with a Herald's trumpet, a Neoclassical urn, a Mason's square, and a protractor. Ink and wash in gray ink ...

Female figure with child and dog is a sublime original drawing (red chalk drawing on laid paper) by an exponent of the French School of the XVIII century...

Anfora is an original black and white old master artwork probably realized in the early 18th century by Anonymous artist. Ink and Watercolor on thick filigree paper, representing a ...

Boy with Mask is a Modern Artwork realized by Antonio Visentini (Venice, 1688 - Venice, 1782) in the first half of the XVIII Century. Original watercolor on watermarked ivory paper....

Illustration is a drawing in watercolor on paper realized by an anonymous artist of the 18 century. With a drawing on the rear. The State of preservation is good, except for diffu...

Landscape is a beautiful drawing in pen and watercolor on paper realized by Jan Peter Verdussen. In aged condition, except for some repaired cut and folding line at the middle. The...

Woman In Costume is an original watercolor on ivory-colored paper, realized by Michela De Vito in the first half of XIX century. Good conditions exc...

Due Angeli is an original artwork realized by Andrea Brustolon. Mixed media, ink and watercolor. The artwork rapresents two baroque angels, study realized by Brostolon for a sculpt...

"Lamp" is an original china ink and watercolor drawing on ivory-colorated paper by Anonymous Artist of XIX Century. In very good conditions. Not signed.

Port is an original drawing in pencil on paper realized by an Anonymous artist of the XVIII century. The State of preservation is good, except for some diffused foxing. Sheet dime...

Speech is an original and unique drawing in ink on paper realized by Jan Peter Verdussen, with sketches on the rear. The State of preservation is very good with the traces of time. ...

The Baker is an original watercolor on ivory-colored paper, realized by Michela De Vito in the first half of XIX century. Good conditions except for a very light shading on right s...