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Portrait, Arts, Theater, French Actors, 6 Antique Watercolors, 18th Century

$3,250

Portraits of French Actors: Fargonel, Fargot, Fremery, Lariviere, Dardivilliers and Duban
French School: Late 18th Century
Pen and ink, sepia wash and watercolor, on paper
Titled variously on front and verso
13.25 x 8.5 inches each
$3,250 set of 6

Charming set of sepia wash portraits of French actors of the late 18th century shown in profile, elegantly dressed in hats and wigs characteristic of the period. Two of them are identified in inscriptions as members of theatrical troupes featuring the comedy of the French playwright and actor Molière (1622-1673), a major figure in Western literature known for his comedies and farces. The other portraits are of comic actors, including one who was a member of a Commedia dell’Arte company.

Titles:

Fargonel de la troupe de Moliere, Les fourberies de Scapin [Fargonel of Moliere’s troupe in the play Les Fourberies de Scapin]

Fargot jouait les pieces de Moliere en Societe [Fargot was acting in Moliere plays in society]

Fremery du temps de Gandolin [Fremery of the times of Gandolin, a comic character in Commedia dell’Arte]

M’elle. Lariviere cantatrice a joué la comedie en Societe [Mademoiselle Lariviere, singer who has acted in comedies in society]

M’elle. Dardivilliers atrice comique et tragique [Mademoiselle Dardivilliers, comic and tragic actress]

M’elle. Duban Cantatrice elle jouait la comedie [Mademoiselle Duban, singer, she was acting in comedies]

Condition: Generally very good with the usual overall light toning, wear, handling, soiling, soft creases.

Additional information

Century

18th Century