Imperfectorum Academia (Academy of the Imperfects)

c. 1619

Claude Déruet

Associated Names
Claude Déruet

Artist, French, 1588 - 1660

This image features two allegorical figures surrounded by intricate ornamental designs and symbolic objects related to knowledge and learning. The figure on the left wears robes, a helmet, and holds a shield and baton, while cherub-like children are below them. The figure on the right holds compasses and is surrounded by instruments and books. In the center, there's a shield with the word "ATTENVANDO" and an emblem with a building-like structure. The drawing style includes detailed lines and a limited color palette of blues and earth tones. The text along the bottom reads "IMPERFECTORVM ACADEMIA."

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and brown ink with blue wash over black chalk, incised for transfer, on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Julius S. Held Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 17.4 x 23 cm (6 7/8 x 9 1/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1985.1.4

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Julius Weitzner, New York; Julius S. Held [1905-2002], Bennington, Vermont, by 1970; gift to NGA in 1985

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1970

  • Selections from the Drawing Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Julius S. Held, University Art Gallery, Binghamton; traveling exhibition, 1970, no. 73 (as French, early 17th century).

1979

  • Master Drawings from the Collection of Ingrid and Julius S. Held, The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown; traveling exhibition, 1979, no. 19 (as anonymous 17th century).

1990

  • Julius S. Held: Drawings from His Collection. Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery, Columbia University. Checklist no. 22 (as French, 17th century).

2009

  • Renaissance to Revolution: French Drawings from the National Gallery of Art, 1500-1800. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2009, 42-43, 276, no. 12 (color).

Bibliography

1966

  • Pariset, François-Georges. "De Bellange à Deruet," Bulletin de la Société de l'histoire de France, année 1965 (1966): 67, pl. VI, fig. 1 (opp. p. 68).

1993

  • Dessins français du XVIIe siècle dans les collections publiques françaises. Exh. cat. Musée du Louvre. Paris, 1993: 70, under no. 18 (entry by Jean-François Méjanès).

2008

  • Boyer, Jean-Claude. "Une Académie imparfaite?" in République des Lettres, République des Arts. Mélanges offerts à Marc Fumaroli, de l'Académie Française. Edited by Christian Mouchel and Colette Nativel. Geneva, 2008: 49-58, 658, fig. 3.

Inscriptions

by the artist center on scroll of upper shield in pen and brown ink: ATTENVANDO; and titled across bottom: IMPERFECTORVM/ ACADEMIA; on verso calculations prob. by the artist

Wikidata ID

Q64540106

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