Henri Lebasque

Private Collection, Stockholm (acquired by 1923)
Sale: Moudon, Geneva, 1st April 1965, lot 97
Private Collection, Switzerland
Thence by descent to the present owner

Paris, Galeries Georges Petit, Exposition d'art français de Stockholm, 1923
Tokyo, Banko Building, Exposition d'art français contemporain au Japon, 1928

The canvas is not lined. There are artist's tack holes at intervals along the upper edge. There is an 18cm. very thin diagonal line of retouching to the palm tree above the figure's head and a small area of very thin lines of retouching just to the right of it, probably to cover minor craquelure. There is an intermittent line of retouching approximately three quarters of the way along the top edge, an intermittent line of retouching along the left edge, and a thin intermittent line to the right corner of the bottom edge. There is 2cm line of retouching near the elbow of the sitter. All retouching is visible under UV light. Apart from a light stretcher mark to the upper left edge and to the centre of the lower edge, with associated craquelure, this work in in overall good condition. Colours: Overall fairly accurate although the greens are more vivid in the original.
"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."

Saint Tropez, le Hamac sous les pins presents the viewer with a very tranquil and pleasant scene of a woman languidly lounging in the shade surrounded by verdant greenery. The scene is dominated by the large crawling leaves of the trees and plants that seem to sway around the reclining figure. In the present work, Lebasque has eloquently captured a pleasant afternoon in the South of France. The palette and subject are quintessentially Lebasque; the soft colours, the female subject in the outdoors and the glory of nature captured for the viewer.