Artwork Page for La Sagesse

Details / Information for La Sagesse

La Sagesse

late 18th- early 19th century

Alexandre-Evariste Fragonard

(French, 1781–1850)
Culture
France, 19th century
Medium
Graphite, pen and black ink, and gray and black washes
Measurements
Sheet: 39.4 x 27.8 cm (15 1/2 x 10 15/16 in.); Secondary Support: 39.6 x 28 cm (15 9/16 x 11 in.); Tertiary Support: 49.2 x 36.3 cm (19 3/8 x 14 5/16 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Muriel Butkin 2018.47
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

Fragonard’s grisaille drawing portrays a sculpted personification of Wisdom, identified by the inscription “Sagesse” along her forehead. She is seated on a stone throne, decorated with two other female personifications on either side. Characterized as a righteous woman, Wisdom lifts her right arm in an authoritative gesture while clutching her traditional attribute, a crown of stars, in her other hand.
A vertically oriented graphite and ink drawing with gray washes depicts a light-skinned woman, La Sagesse, seated on a stone block. She wears voluminous draped garments and a headband inscribed "SAGESSE." Her right arm points upward while her left holds a wreath of stars. Below her, two relief carvings flank the base: a standing figure on the left and a winged person in an oval on the right, centered against a dark background.

La Sagesse

late 18th- early 19th century

Alexandre-Evariste Fragonard

(French, 1781–1850)
France, 19th century

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