This Neoclassical drawing by the Swedish sculptor Johann Tobias Sergel (1740-1814) proved very popular in the opening Old Master works on paper section of the mixed-discipline traditional sale held by the Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo 25% buyer’s premium) on November 27 in Monaco.
The 8½ x 13in (22 x 33.5cm) pen, ink and wash study features a frieze of figures in classical costume with a kneeling man presenting a bouquet of flowers to a young woman. Equally significant is the artist’s inscription along the bottom reading Madame agréez que je vous présente une charge pour remplacer le bouquet de Votre faite chérie du 10. et février 1806. à Edeby.
The auction house suggests that this inscription implies the drawing was given as a thank-you present to a lady for the party she held at Edeby on February 10, 1806.