FRENCH SCHOOL 18thC - ANIMATED LANDSCAPE C'CLE DE BOISSIEU - CHARCOAL-RED CHALK

Description

For sale is this fine quality French master drawing, dating back to the fourth quarter of the 18th century.
The drawing, executed in charcoal and red chalk on laid watermarked paper, depcits an animated landscape, showing a resting man and a grazing donkey near an old watermill, situated in a wooded river landscape.
Authorship : the drawing is from the French School, given to the circle of Jean-jacques de Boissieu.  Our drawing fits in the animated landscapes made by de Boissieu in the fourth quarter of the 18th century.
Right below on the support : an old inscription (a name) in ink.  This name is not at all related tot the name of an artist.  Most likely, it refers to a early 19th century collection.
JEAN-JACQUES DE BOISSIEU (Lyon 1736 - Lyon 1810) : French landscape artist.  A largely self-taught artist, Jean-Jacques de Boissieu toured extensively in Europe before settling in his native Lyons.  On his travels, Boissieu developed a particular interest in landscape painting and spent as much time sketching outdoors as he did studying in museums.   Boissieu was of fragile health and could not tolerate the strong odor of turpentine used in oil painting; instead he focused his energies on engravings and drawings in ink and wash.
A great admirer of Rembrandt van Rijn, Boissieu approached engraving with the idiosyncratic touch of the draftsman.  Atmospheric and tonal effects took precedence over sharp lines and absolute clarity.  Boissieu's engraved landscapes are bathed in light and shadow and populated with the rural figures and architectural forms characteristic of Dutch landscape painting.
Boissieu achieved great commercial and critical success during his lifetime.  Artists and dignitaries passing through Lyons often visited his studio.  With the wider distribution of his prints in the 1800s, Boissieu's reputation continued to grow and his work was an important model for printmakers across Europe including Félix Bracquemond, Félix Vallotton, and Adolph von Menzel.
Period : ca. 1780-1790.
Size : 18,6x24,8cm (without support).
Provenance : collection Ducanel (most likely), handwritten inscription right below (not in Lugt).
Condition : Good.  Some scattered dirt throughout.  Attached to a paper support by the corners.  Unframed.
Shipping : flat shippingrate 18$.  Shipped as International Registered Mail (with trackingn°).  Combined shipping available.