A fascinating sketchbook by the artist and portraitist Henri de Nolhac (1884-1948). He was the son of Pierre de Nolhac, the curator of the Palace of Versailles Museum during his youth. From a young age, he was a painter, and particularly skilled in pencil portraits, which he used to make his living. This sketchbook, with a cloth spine and plain blue boards, seems to have begun life as an itinerary book / plan for his father. A note on the front end paper "2e Division 1er Brigade" and to the final page "Cours special dinstruction 3e Brigade (1890-91)" is followed by seven pages in ink, dated 1890-1891 in an adult hand. This seems to be largely assigning projects (or elements of the instruction course). As the text ends, the pencil sketches immediately begin. It is unlikely that Henri took up this book immediately, as in 1890 he was only 7 years old and these are mature sketches. Most of the entries are of 19th century scenes, and some portraits of eminent men from the time. There are also American civil war notables and a couple of cowboys. (Nolhac travelled to the United States in the 1930s so perhaps he drew these after that visit). Studies include sketches after Daumier, characters in Chinese dress, fashionable ladies, a lovely ink and pencil sketch of Lamartine, military uniforms, a full page colour sketch of a couple promenading, Generals Grant and Lee from the USA, horses running, Gladstone, Thackeray and two of Disraeli. There are 55 pages, each drawn to the recto only, and mostly holding 4-6 sketches. Curiously these are all dated 1863-1871 but this is before Henri was born (and his father was only born in 1859). It seems far more likely that these were pencil studies and practice pieces. Nolhac was known for improving his skills throughout his life. There are then a number of blank leaves. The sketch book is obviously picked up again towards the end of Nolhacs life. It is begun afresh from the rear page (upside down to the front) and there are nine pages of sketches. There is a pencil title "1e anniversaire a XXXX" (illegible, but from the contents this is clearly the liberation). The nine pages are full of studies of American troops and vehicles. There is also a full page, colour highlighted sketch entitled "Le libération á Sens 25.8.44 la grande rue." Sens was liberated by American troops on the 20th August 1944. In total, this sketch book contains 64 pages of sketches, including three in colour and one in ink. A total of 238 studies. Nolhac died in 1948. 305 x 200 mm (12 x 7¾ inches). A very similar sketch book (209 studies but with the subject entirely focused on World War I) was sold at auction in 2014 for 2875 euros (including fees). Comparing the styles has confirmed the provenance of this sketch book. First edition . Un fascinant carnet de croquis de l'artiste et portraitiste Henri de Nolhac (1884-1948). Il est le fils de Pierre de Nolhac, conservateur du musée du château de Versailles dans sa jeunesse. Peintre dès son plus jeune âge, il est particulièrement doué pour les portraits au crayon, qui lui permettent de gagner sa vie. Ce carnet de croquis, avec un dos en toile et des planches bleues unies, semble avoir commencé sa vie comme un carnet d'itinéraire / plan pour son père. Une note sur la page de garde "2e Division 1ère Brigade" et sur la dernière page "Cours spécial d'instruction 3e Brigade (1890-91)" est suivie de sept pages à l'encre, datées de 1890-1891 de la main d'un adulte. Il semble qu'il s'agisse en grande partie de l'attribution de projets (ou d'éléments du cours d'instruction). À la fin du texte, les esquisses au crayon commencent immédiatement. Il est peu probable qu'Henri ait pris ce livre immédiatement, car en 1890 il n'avait que 7 ans et il s'agit d'esquisses de maturité. La plupart des dessins représentent des scènes du XIXe siècle et quelques portraits d'hommes éminents de l'époque. Il y a également des notables de la guerre civile américaine et quelques
