Two drawings: (1) Mattheus Ignatius van Bree (1773-1839) (after?)
(Minerva protecting the Dutch Virgin). Drawing in pen and paintbrush in grey ink, 13.7 x 9 cm, unclearly monogrammed on stone lower l. and with "M.J. van Bree" in pencil on reverse side, mounted on holder with left margin (minimal small tear).
The signature on reverse side with pencil has a strong resemblance with Van Bree's signature, which can be found on Wikipedia. See engraving Reinier Vinkeles made after a drawing by Van Breen in 1815 (similar to our drawing). Allegoric scene in which Minerva is protecting the Dutch Virgin against the French Eagle. Part of a group of illustrations of happenings around and during the battles at Quatre-Bras and Waterloo, 18-18 June 1815; (2) Frans van Mieris II (1689-1763) (after?). (Venus on a carriage pulled by doves). Drawing in pen and paintbrush in grey ink (with an addition in black ink) 17 x 13.7 cm, on paper with part of watermark Tuin van Holland, mounted with 2 corners on holder. See the engraving Jan Wandelaar (1692-1759) made after the scene (facing the same direction as our drawing) and that was used as illustration IV in: T. Lucretius Carus, De rerum natura libri sex, Leiden, 1725. (total 2)