François-Xavier FABRE (Montpellier, 1766 - 1837) Study... Lot 303

François-Xavier FABRE (Montpellier, 1766 - 1837) Study for Helen supplicating Menelaus 1796 Pen with brown ink and black ink, white gouache highlights on prepared ochre paper 240 x 190 mm Provenance: Albert Finot, his mark lower left, Lugt 3627 Note: This unpublished drawing is preparatory to the painting commissioned by Joseph Allen Smith in 1796. Two closely related subjects, Ajax & Cassandra and Helen at the Feet of Menelaus, were chosen by this American enthusiast, but it is not known whether they were delivered to the commissioner. Only two preparatory drawings are known to exist and are kept at the Musée Fabre.