Jean-Joseph-Bonaventure Laurens

mine de plomb; titré en bas à gauche

Collection A. Sand

F. Lesure, Collection musicale André Meyer, Abbeville, 1961, reproduit pl.86

This charming drawing is in good condition, but slighlty dirty. The paper is quite fresh. We can notice an old ink stain along the top border which is visible in the catalogue illustration, and a few tiny dirt dots scattered in the background. There is a very small tear (3 mm) along the upper left corner. We can mention a slight crease going from the top of the left tree to the middle of the right border, and another one going from the top of the left tree to the middle of the left border. Both are very slight, and are only noticeable under certain light conditions.
"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."

L'hiver que Frédéric Chopin passa sur l'île de Majorque en compagnie de George Sand fut de la plus grande importance tant d'un point de vue musical que sentimental. Chopin rencontra pour la première fois le grand écrivain en Avril 1838 et ils tombèrent très vite amoureux. Ils préparèrent leur départ de Paris et partirent en Novembre 1838 pour passer l'hiver ensemble, sur l'île de Majorque. Ce fut cependant une expérience difficile, car l'hiver fut très rude dans les chambres du vieux monastère cartusien de Valldemosa. La santé déjà fragile de Chopin se détériora rapidement, et le compositeur ne s'en remit jamais complètement, mourant de la tuberculose dix ans plus tard. Il continua cependant à composer d'importantes œuvres dont les plus célèbres furent Préludes, Op.28. Bien que ce dessin soit daté 1839, il a probablement était exécuté pendant l'hiver 1838/1839 lorsque Chopin était à Valldemosa. En Octobre 1839, il était de retour au château de George Sand à Nohant. George Sand décrivit leur séjour à Valldemosa dans son livre Un hiver à Majorque, (1842).


The winter that Frédéric Chopin spent on the island of Majorca with George Sand, was of the greatest importance both musically and emotionally.  Chopin first encountered the great writer in April 1838, and they quickly became lovers.  They planned their escape from Paris, and left in November 1838, to spend the winter months together on the island of Majorca.  However, this was an ill-fated adventure, since the winter there was harsh and their rooms at the old Carthusian monastery at Valldemosa offered little shelter.  Chopin's already delicate health deteriorated rapidly, and in fact never properly recovered; it was to be from tuberculosis that he died ten years later.  He did however continue to compose many important works, most notably the famous Préludes, Op.28.  Despite the date of 1839 on this drawing, it had only been during the winter months of 1838 to 1839 that Chopin was actually confined to Valldemosa; by October 1839, he was back at Sand's chateau in Nohant.  George Sand described their experiences at Valldemosa in her book Un hiver à Majorque, (1842).