DAVID Jacques-Louis (1748-1825) - Lot 104

DAVID Jacques-Louis (1748-1825) Head of a Cardinal with Veil and Hat, 1810 Black pencil, later annotated "David f." lower right Height 16.8; Width 10.8 cm (glued at the edges on a mount, horizontal fold at the bottom) It is probable that David commissioned a model in cardinal's habit to represent Cardinal Caprara - who died in June 1810 - in the new version of Distribution des Aigles. However, in addition to his physiognomy, which is closer to that of a Napoleonic grognard, the cardinal is shown in profile in the painting, without the veil. It is therefore risky to link this drawing directly to the final work, although in our opinion it may be preliminary research for this figure.