Lot 284
  • 284

[Andersen, Hans]--Lefler, Heinrich

Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • [Andersen, Hans]--Lefler, Heinrich
  • 'Der fliegende Koffer' ['Den flyvende Kuffert' / 'The Flying Trunk']
  • watercolour
177 by 232 mm, fine watercolour drawing, unsigned, mounted

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

A fine watercolour for Andersen's Zwölf Märchen (Vienna, Verlag M Munk, ca. 1911–12) and later used in a calendar Märchen Kalender (1911).

Heinrich Lefler (1863–1919) worked primarily in Vienna as a member of the Künstlerhaus and by the late 1890s became one of Austria's first artists to design posters, then an emerging medium. Together with Joseph Urban (1872–1933), he designed costumes, interiors, furniture and household accessories. In 1900 they co-founded the Hagenbund, an artists’ cooperative that exhibited works by a number of important figures including Oskar Kokoschka and Egon Schiele. From 1903–1910 Lefler taught at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste in Vienna. He also designed decorations for the Vienna town hall, but the images for the Andersen series/calendar are considered amongst the most beautiful designs in his oeuvre.

'The Flying Trunk' is one of ten tales from Andersen’s second series of Fairy Tales, told for Children [Eventyr, fortalte for Børn, Andet Bind. Ny Samling, Copenhagen, 1838–42].