Eustache Le Sueur (French, 1617-1655). Sanguine red chalk on laid paper sketch titled "Urania, Muse of Astronomy" depicting an elegantly dressed woman beneath a tree, ca. 1646-1647. Her arm rests on a globe and she holds in her hand a compass to chart the stars. Possibly a preparatory or studio drawing for the painting in the collection of the Louvre, Paris. Signed E. Le Sueur along the lower right.

Provenance: New Orleans Auction Galleries, January 27, 2023, Lot 68; Private Minnesota Collection.
Sheet; height: 9 1/2 in x width: 7 3/4 in. Mat; height: 16 in x width: 12 in. The sheet is toned. There is a repaired horizontal tear or crease along the lower right just above the signature. There are two small holes to the sheet along the top left quadrant; there are square pieces of tape affixed to the verso behind these holes. Some unevenness and creases along the top left edge. There are remnants of previous hinges along the verso along the top left and right corners; some abrading of the paper along these past hinges. Affixed to the mat with two pieces of clear tape along the top edge of the verso. Housed between a matboard and mat; not framed. Some wear to the matboard; two pieces of old tape and a sticker affixed to the verso of the mat.