An original 18th-century chalk drawing, Manner of Pierre Thomas Le Clerc, Hand Study.A wonderful 18th-century drawing in sanguine red chalk on watermarked laid paper.Annotation in French on a historic mount (no longer extant) indicates that the drawing is likely French in origin. The identity of the watermark, featuring grapes and a heart, is unknown, but grapes indicate a French paper.The hand study subject resembles chalk drawings by the French artist Pierre Thomas Le Clerc (1740–1799), whose work was reproduced as crayon-manner etchings in the publication 'Cahier de Principes de Dessins d'après Nature' in 1773.This is one of two 18th-century French sanguine studies that we have for sale (see stock number KB-265).All artworks come with a Certificate of Authenticity and—if it is a collection artwork—its accompanying collection text or artist biography. Signed: No. Inscribed: No. Height: 20.5cm (8.1″) Width: 28.3cm (11.1″) Condition: Some marks, wear and inconsistencies to the old paper, including small loss to the upper left corner and at the lower left edge, crease to the upper left corner, and pinholes at the upper centre and lower corners. Please see photos for detail. Presented: Unframed.