Lot 145: Figures before classical altar

François-Xavier Fabre (Montpellier 1766-1837) Figures before classical altar black chalk, pen and brown ink, watermark device 7¼ x 8 1/8 in. (185 x 206 mm.)

Besides his large part in the execution of the second version of Belisarius which David exhibited at the 1785 Salon along with his celebrated Horaces, no painted composition of this subject by Fabre is known today. This drawing with its nervous handling is typical of the artist's studies in the early 1790's.
We thank Marie-Laure Pellicer for confirming the attribution.