Attributed to Jacques ANDROUET du CERCEAU (Paris, circa 1511 - Annecy, 1586) Study of a fireplace for the Château de Verneuil Pen and brown ink, grey wash The drawing is mounted on an album page numbered "28". The album page paper bears a pot watermark, Briquet no. 12737, recorded in Berry in 1591. Without frame Chimney study for the Château de Verneuil, pen and brown and grey wash, attr. to J. Androuet du Cerceau 7.67 x 6.29 in. 19.5 x 16 cm Our drawing appears to be preparatory to the very finished drawing on vellum now in the collections of the British Museum (inv.1972, U.838). The sheet in the British Museum is part of a magnificent album of drawings by du Cerceau, nine of which relate to the Château de Verneuil. In the 1550s, Androuet du Cerceau designed plans for a new château at Verneuil for Philippe IV de Boulainvilliers. The work ruined Philippe IV de Boulainvilliers, who sold the unfinished castle to Duke Jacques de Savoie-Nemours in 1575. The unfinished castle was sold again in 1599 to Henri IV, who gave it to Henriette d'Entragues. The château subsequently fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1734. Our drawing is mounted on an album page bearing a watermark dated circa 1591. The sale also includes a second drawing from the same album (no. 50), with the same watermark. It is a study of a lute. They were therefore collected in the late 16th century by a lover of ornamental drawings. Attributed to Jacques ANDROUET du CERCEAU (Paris, circa 1511 - Annecy, 1586) 19.5 x 16 cm Our drawing appears to be preparatory to the very finished drawing on vellum now in the collections of the British Museum (inv.1972, U.838). The sheet in the British Museum is part of a magnificent album of drawings by du Cerceau, nine of which relate to the Château de Verneuil. In the 1550s, Androuet du Cerceau designed plans for a new château at Verneuil for Philippe IV de Boulainvilliers. The work ruined Philippe IV de Boulainvilliers, who sold the unfinished castle to Duke Jacques de Savoie-Nemours in 1575. The unfinished castle was sold again in 1599 to Henri IV, who gave it to Henriette d'Entragues. The château subsequently fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1734. Our drawing is mounted on an album page bearing a watermark dated circa 1591. The sale also includes a second drawing from the same album (no. 50), with the same watermark. It is a study of a lute. They were therefore collected in the late 16th century by a lover of ornamental drawings.