The Spring (La Source)

The Spring (La Source)

The Spring (La Source)

Artist:Jean Marc Nattier (French, Paris 1685–1766 Paris)
Date:1738
Medium:Oil on canvas
Dimensions:31 3/4 x 25 5/8 in. (80.6 x 65.1 cm)
Classification:Paintings
Credit Line:Gift of Jessie Woolworth Donahue, 1956

Reportedly, the canvas was signed and dated 1738 on the reverse. The traditional identification of the sitter as Louise Henriette de Bourbon-Conti is not tenable and the picture, which is rather loosely and fluidly painted, was probably made for the art market.

Provenance

marquise de Toulongeon, née des Verfers; Albert de Curel, vicomte de Curel (until d. 1908; his estate sale, Galerie Georges Petit, Paris, May 3, 1918, postponed until November 25, 1918, no. 43, as "la Princesse de Bourbon-Conti," and signed, on the reverse, "Nattier, pinxit, 1738, à Paris," for Fr 125,000 to Trotti); [Trotti, Paris, 1918–20; sold for Fr 200,000 to Knoedler]; [Knoedler, New York, 1920–24; sold for $36,000 to Harkness]; Mr. and Mrs. Edward S. Harkness, New York (1924–34; sold for $15,000 to Knoedler); [Knoedler, New York, 1934–39; sold for $25,000 to Donahue]; Jessie Woolworth (Mrs. James P.) Donahue, New York (1939–56)

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