La Sagesse
late 18th- early 19th century
Graphite, pen and black ink, and gray and black washes
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In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · as of July 2026
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FROM THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART’S CATALOG
Fragonard’s grisaille drawing portrays a sculpted personification of Wisdom, identified by the inscription “Sagesse” along her forehead. She is seated on a stone throne, decorated with two other female personifications on either side. Characterized as a righteous woman, Wisdom lifts her right arm in an authoritative gesture while clutching her traditional attribute, a crown of stars, in her other hand.
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