EDME BOUCHARDON (Chaumont, 1698-Paris, 1762) TASTE AND HEARING Sanguine, proof Antique mounting captioned below: "AUDUTUS / ED. BOUCHARDON / DELIN." and "GUSTUS / ED. BOUCHARDON / DELIN. Minor spotting to leaves; stains to mounts. Stamp of the Jacques Petithory collection on the back (L.4138) Red chalk, counterproof, framing lines in pen and black ink. Horizontal crease at centre 39 x 29,50 CM - 15,4 x 11,6 IN. PROVENANCE - Pierre Jean Mariette; sale, Paris, Nov. 15, 1775 - Jan. 30, 1776, part of number 1127: "Les contre-épreuves, à la sanguine, des cinq sens de nature, représentés par des femmes debout sur un globe, avec des attributs analogues; elles sont connues par les Estampes gravées d'après par le C. de Caylus; les Dessins sont en Suède"; - Probably Philippe de Chennevières; - Jacques Petithory (stamp on the back of the two mounts, L.4138) The artist Edme Bouchardon, renowned for his virtuosity and aesthetic sensitivity, devoted a series to exploring the five senses, each represented by an allegorical female figure. The two extremely fine works embody Bouchardon's own ideal of beauty, with delicate proportions, classical features and a lively elegance that pay homage to 18th-century aesthetics. The choice of red chalk, with its nuances and softness, gives these drawings a sensitive and poetic dimension. L'Odorat from this series is now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, having been sold by Henry Petithory. Le Toucher was sold at Christie's in London in 1995.