Alexander Borisovich Serebriakoff

signed and dated A. Serebriakoff 1945 lower right

Sotheby's New York, The Duke & Duchess of Windsor (The Private Collections), February 19, 1998, lot 62, illustrated

Colors are bright and fresh. Work is affixed to paper mat with paper hinges along top edge.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Serebriakoff was the son of the Russian artist Zinaida Serebriakova (née Lanceray) and great-nephew of Alexandre Benois.  He arrived in Paris from Russia with his mother in the late 1920s, where, influenced by his cousin, Alexandre Benois' son Nicolai, he began work as a scene designer and decorator.  It was only in early 1940, with the encouragement and patronage of his friend Charles de Beistegui that Serebriakoff concentrated on executing the exceptionally fine studies of interiors for which he is renowned. His first commission was to make a record of the interiors of de Beistegui's Château de Groussay (see lot 299).

Art collector, interior decorator, and bon vivant, de Beistegui likely introduced the artist to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor as they travelled in similar circles. The present work depicts the Windsor's home (from 1939-1946) on 24 Boulevard Suchet, near the end of the avenue Henri Martin, near the Bois de Boulogne in Paris' 16th Arrondissement.  The Duchess of Windsor spent countless hours searching out the best decorations and furnishings for the four story town house working with Stephane Boudin of Maison Jensen (Greg King, The Duchess of Windsor: The Uncommon Life of Wallis Simpson, London, 2003, pp. 30-8). 

24 Boulevard Suchet was perfect for entertaining. The first floor's four main rooms, which opened en suite included a drawing room, a salon, dining room (shown here), and a smaller sitting room called the "Banquette Room" (see lot 296).  As Serebriakoff depicts the dining room was painted in cream with the original fine boisiere gilded, and with curtains and carpet of deep red highlighted with gold decoration, while light bounced off the polished parquet floor and a mirrored-topped table which seated thirty (King, pp. 309-310).  Many of the Rococo and Louis XVI style furnishings depicted were sold along with the present work in the landmark sale of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor's personal collection in these rooms in 1998.