Description
The subject here-a man who raises livestock and happens to be a captain as well-is one in a long line of Parisian characters that Gavarni chronicled in his career. This sheet once belonged to the collection of the artist's watercolors made for the important Parisian publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel. Composed of about 200 sheets executed mostly in 1859-60, Hetzel's collection was a rare ensemble of the artist's best work in the medium.
Provenance
Pierre-Jules Hetzel [1814-1886], Paris (?-1884); (Hotel Drouot, Hetzel sale, Paris, 26 May 26, 1884, no. 45) (1884); (Hotel Drouot, Paris, December 3, 1925, no. 23) (1925); (Yvonne Tan Bunzl, London) (By 1975); (Paris art market, sold to Shepherd Gallery, New York) (1976); (Shepherd Gallery, New York, sold to Muriel Butkin, Shaker Heights, OH) (1976); Muriel Butkin [1916-2008], Shaker Heights, OH, by bequest to the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1976-2008); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (2008-)
Accession Number
2008.411
Medium
watercolor (mixed with white gouache in places) over graphite, heightened with white gouache
Dimensions
Sheet: 29.4 x 21 cm (11 9/16 x 8 1/4 in.); Secondary Support: 38 x 29.4 cm (14 15/16 x 11 9/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Credit Line
Bequest of Muriel Butkin