JEAN-BAPTISTE LE PRINCE (1734-1781) Russian Greek Archbishop Pencil and brown ink Titled in ink at bottom: Archevêque grec russe Collection stamp lower right: JD (L.5163 unidentified) Minor wetness Height 24.3 cm - Width 16.7 cm The JD collector's stamp is most certainly that of Jean Darcel, the "Embellisseur" engineer of the Paris Gardens with Alphand. He was a descendant of Jeanne-Marie Leprince, Jean-Baptiste's niece, who looked after him during his long illness on his return from Russia and was his executor. She married Nicolas Darcel, ancestor of Jean Darcel. Jean Darcel was himself a draughtsman and collector, and his descendants sheltered major works in the Louvre, including the Mona Lisa, during the Second World War. This drawing was lithographed by Leprince, along with more than 160 others brought back from his 5-year trip to Russia.