18th Century Drawing: Young Man From Behind, Slapping His Thighs

Amusing 18th century drawing, executed in black chalk and highlighted with white, representing a young servant from behind, bent over his legs, leaning or slapping his thighs, probably surprised by what he sees. The artist studies this attitude meticulously, certainly for a more complete composition, and subtly transcribes the folds of the garment, and the anatomy of the model, through the fabric (observe the calf which is suggested through the fabric of the breeches). The spirit of the drawing is faithful to the heritage of the Flemish school, at once trivial, funny, tender and subtle with its models. This drawing is framed in an old pass giving the drawing to Louis Leopold Boilly (1761-1845). By dismantling the frame, the drawing itself is annotated on the back in a 19th century Boilly writing. Born in La Bassee, near Lille, this immense artist, astonished those around him from his adolescence by his talent and will be throughout the end of the 18th century an amused observer of the end of the old regime in his carefree and naughty paintings. If he is known today first for his small-format portraits, made at the beginning of the 19th century (there would be 4500 of them....) he remains a master of virtuoso trompe l'oeil and will continue throughout the first half of the 19th century to paint society with humor and benevolence. This is what makes him an heir to the Flemish schools, renewing this look full of gentleness and so particular. Also, nothing prevents us from thinking that this charming drawing, finely made, fully 18th century, is not a youthful drawing of this artist. It is today presented in a pretty Louis XVI baguette, and mounted on turnstiles to be able to dismantle it easily.