Lot 31

The Collection of Marcel Jeanson, Paris
Christie's, The Jeanson Collection, London, 19 June 2000, lot 209
Peter Walker Fine Art, Adelaide
Imperial Antiques, Melbourne
Private collection, Hobart
Thence by descent

Antoine-Charles Vauthier was one of the leading natural history illustrators of early nineteenth century France, celebrated for his scientifically accurate and artistically refined depictions of exotic fauna. These two watercolours are original preparatory drawings executed for René Primevère Lesson's Compléments de Buffon: Des Mammifères (1838), where they were engraved and published as Plates 24 and 59. They depict the Red Panda and Hog Badger, and the Addax Antelope, demonstrating Vauthier's exceptional ability to combine anatomical precision with elegant composition.

The works originating from the renowned Marcel Jeanson Collection, one of the most important private collections of natural history illustration assembled in the twentieth century. They were sold by Christie's, London, in 2000 alongside a companion drawing of the Tasmanian Tiger, now held in the National Gallery of Australia. Their distinguished history, direct relationship to one of the great nineteenth century zoological publications, and provenance make these rare watercolours highly significant examples of Vauthier's work.