18th Century Grisaille Bas-Relief Scene Painting by Piat Joseph Sauvage 23¾" x 15¼"

A rare painting by Piat Joseph Sauvage from the 18th-century. Sauvage, renowned for his decorative and ornamental mastery, served as the premier painter to Prince Louis-Joseph de Bourbon of Condé and later to King Louis XVI of France. His work enhanced the interiors of numerous châteaux and palaces during the twilight of the Ancient Regime.

Notable installations include grisaille overdoors at Compiègne and Fontainebleau, representations of the Four Seasons for the Dairy at Rambouillet, and significant contributions to Saint-Cloud and Chantilly. This piece features Sauvage’s signature trompe-l’œil bas-reliefs in monochrome, depicting allegorical figures and playful scenes in the style of Bouchardon and Clodion. A timeless treasure, it embodies the elegance and sophistication of its era.

Grisaille is a painting technique in which an artwork is executed entirely in shades of grey or another neutral greyish color. It's essentially a form of monochrome painting that often imitates sculpture. The technique is used to create the appearance of sculpture in bas-relief, and it can also be employed as a foundation for layering colors in oil paintings. Grisaille paintings often emphasize composition and light and shadow without the distraction of color.