$2,015
John La Farge (American, 1835-1910) Lot of Two Cliché-verre Glass Drawings for Robert Browning's Men and Women , 1860. Unsigned, one dated "1860" l.r. Graphite on frosted glass set between two plates of clear glass within a stained glass composition, sizes to 9 3/4 x 8 in., framed. Condition: Both with cracked frosted glass, one loose in frame. Provenance: Henry Lee Higginson, Boston, until d. 1919; by descent in the Higginson family. Literature: Passing references to both drawings are in three reviews of the 1879 exhibition/auction: "John La Farge's Sale," Boston Evening Transcript, 15 Dec. 1879, p. 4; "The La Farge Paintings," Boston Post, 17 Dec. 1879, p. 3; and "The Fine Arts: Mr. La Farge's Pictures," Boston Daily Advertiser, 18 Dec. 1879, p. 2. Exhibitions: Leonard's Gallery, Boston, The Drawings, Water-Colors, and Oil-Paintings by John La Farge. To be Sold at Auction, 18-19 Dec. [1879], exhibited under the heading "Drawings" as lots 33-3 and 33-6. N.B. The works were included in the late Henry A. La Farge's Catalogue Raisonne of the Works of John La Farge, and we wish to thank Dr. James L. Yarnall for updating and supplementing the information for inclusion in this catalogue entry. See online lot entry for extensive commentary by Dr. Yarnall on the works. There are several different techniques classified as cliché-verre, a French term usually applied to etching on a ground-coated transparent material. In this case, the term applies to drawing on
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2010-07-21
