Description:

European, Italian, 17th century. Collector's mark or collector's stamp "JLHS" on verso. A very fine drawing of the Olympian God Mars (Greek Ares) - the god of war - delineated in brown ink on paper. Mars stands in a striking pose, for the most part nude save the drapery of his chlamys and a plumed helmet. Posed in contrapposto, the youthful figure presents clean shaven and muscular, raising his right arm perhaps an oratorial gesture, or with his open palm intended to signal someone to come forward. His left arm is bent at the elbow and resolves with a long sword in his grip. A beautiful drawing mounted behind glass in a custom frame. Size (drawing): 4.2" L x 2.625" W (10.7 cm x 6.7 cm) Size (sight view): 4" L x 2" W (10.2 cm x 5.1 cm) Size (frame): 7.875" L x 5.875" W (20 cm x 14.9 cm)

Of note: There is a collector's mark or collector's stamp on the verso with the initials "JLHS". According to the two volume standard work on Collector's Marks by Briquet, this mark is likely that of "Jean-Louis-Henri Le Secq" - called "De Tournelles," (French 1818-1882) - see mark #1336, page 239, Volume 1.

Mars (Greek Ares) was the god of war - son to Jupiter and Juno (Greek Zeus and Hera) and one of the Twelve Olympians. His sister Minerva (Greek Athena) was the goddess of war. Whereas Mars/Ares traditionally represents the fiery, violent aspects of combat, his sister Minerva/Athena usually represents intellectual military strategy. Second in importance only to Jupiter (Greek Zeus), Mars was highly regarded as the chief military god of the Roman army.

Provenance: private Rancho Mirage, California, USA collection, by inheritance in 2020; ex-Dr. TDR Berreth, California, USA, acquired before 1982

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#179058

  • Condition: Mounted under glass in custom frame. Faint underdrawings and a few slight stains. Overall excellent as is the frame. Fit with suspension wire.

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July 21, 2023 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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