French School, 18th Century, Interior Of A Barn, Drawing

French School 18th century,
Interior of a barn
Black chalk and black ink wash on paper
30.8 x 23.6 cm
Bears a mention " Le Prince" on the back of the sheet (see photograph)
In good and fresh condition
Framed under glass (the frame is in fairly average condition, part of the molding is missing) : 43.5 x 37 cm

This beautiful drawing is characteristic of mid-18th-century art, which was influenced by the rediscovery of the Dutch masters of the 17th century. Artists of the time renewed their sources of inspiration, turning to everyday subjects, particularly the daily lives of peasants.
The farm tools depicted in this barn interior constitute a true still life, and the composition rivals the great classical works. This new aesthetic would go on to influence the realistic art of the following century.

A clue to its attribution can be found on the back, where the inscription 'Le Prince' (see photo) undoubtedly refers to Jean-Baptiste Le Prince (1734–1781). The style and inspiration of our drawing are very similar to his. We know that this painter, who was a pupil of François Boucher, travelled to the Netherlands, a decisive source of inspiration, and above all to Russia, where he made many sketches of the daily lives of peasants and ordinary people.
The wheelbarrow motif can also be found in one of his drawings of a barn. The way he draws it is strikingly similar to the example shown here.
While this inscription is not strictly a signature, it is a clear indication that the work may have been attributed to him in the past and that this is perfectly understandable.