Original Double-sided Drawing—athena—antique Female Figure—greek And Roman Furniture And Monuments

A double-sided drawing executed in pen and sepia wash, attributed to Jean-Guillaume Moitte, depicting on the front two figures inspired by Greek antiquity and, on the back, several decorative and architectural studies of an archaeological nature.

The front depicts a warrior figure identifiable as Athena-Minerva, wearing a helmet and holding a spear and shield, accompanied by a nude female figure draped in the ancient style and wearing a suspended mask. The purity of the lines, the anatomical construction, and the rendering of the drapery perfectly capture the French neoclassical aesthetic, which drew inspiration from Italian archaeological discoveries.

The reverse side features several decorative motifs: a rich ornamental pattern composed of eagles, trophies, and architectural elements; a stele or column inspired by Roman monuments; and a ceremonial seat in the classical style. The composition evokes the sketchbooks created by French artists during their stays in Italy to document ancient sculptures, furniture, and monuments.

Attributed to Jean-Guillaume Moitte, this sheet is part of the major “Return to Antiquity” movement that characterized the second half of the 18th century following the excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

A student of Jean-Baptiste Pigalle, Moitte spent several years in Italy, where he studied ancient monuments, sculptures, and decorative elements to inspire his future monumental compositions.

The fact that this sheet is drawn on both sides, along with the spontaneity of the lines, reinforces the lively and documentary quality of this study, executed around 1770.

Good overall condition with slight old marks and minor marginal irregularities due to the age of the paper.

23 cm x 30 cm