Henri Gaudier-Brzeska

Leicester Galleries, London where acquired by the family of the present owner by 1962

London, Whitechapel Gallery, Twentieth Century Art, May 1914, cat. no.208 (probably marble);
London, Leicester Galleries, A Memorial Exhibition of the Work of Henri Gaudier-Brzeska, 1918, cat. no.98 (another cast);
Leeds, Temple Newsam, Roy de Maistre Henri Gaudier-Brzeska, 26th June - 29th August 1943, cat. no.66 (another cast);
London, Marlborough, Gaudier Brzeska, February 1965, cat. no.100, illustrated (another cast);
Cambridge, Kettle's Yard, Henri Gaudier-Brzeska, sculptor, 15th October - 20th November 1983, cat. no.50, illustrated p.46, with tour to City of Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Bristol and York City Art Gallery, York(another cast).

Harold Stanley Ede, A Life of Gaudier-Brzeska, William Heinemann Ltd., London, 1930, p.196, illustrated pl.XXXVI (marble version);
Harold Stanley Ede, Savage Messiah, William Heinemann Ltd, London, 1931, illustrated opposite p.84 (as Sleeping Doe) (marble version);
Roger Cole, Burning to Speak: The Life and Art of Henri Gaudier Brzeska, Phaidon, Oxford, 1978, cat. no.39, illustrated p.90 (another cast);
Evelyn Silber, Gaudier-Brzeska, Thames and Hudson, London, 1996, cat. no.63, p.265, illustrated pls.78 and 79 (another cast).

There are one or two tiny surface abrasions and small stains. Dirt has gathered in some of the crevices, otherwise the work appears in good overall condition. Please telephone the department on 0207 293 6424 if you have any questions about the present work.
"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."

The seravezza marble Sleeping Fawn (Private Collection) was commissioned by Raymond Drey in November 1913 after a clay model he had seen in Gaudier's studio. A letter from O. Brown of Ernest Brown and Phillips to the Tate Gallery, dated 30th August 1960, states that as required, twelve casts were made for the Leicester Galleries between 1918-39.

Gaudier carved Sleeping Fawn directly from life drawings he had made of the animal to convey the simplified, tender naturalism so evident in the present work. The sculpture is intentionally presented informally with no base or plinth, as if the young animal has settled temporarily to sleep and should awake at any moment and move off.