Michel Adlen

technique mixte sur fond doré

L'oreille, la coiffe et les cheveux ont davantage de reliefs que sur le catalogue illustration. L'oeuvre n'a pas été décadrée pour ce rapport de condition. Bon état général. Une jointure horizontale à la partie supérieure, visible à l'illustration au catalogue. Quelques restaurations probables aux bords et au fond, qui ne perturbe pas le dessin. Quelques petites pertes de la dorure, dues au temps et à l'usage. Légère décoloration par endroits. Le côté droit présente un petit décrochement en partie inférieure, probablement d'origine. Le cadre en bois peint en rouge avec des traces de dorure dans les angles, présente des pertes de peinture considérables et une ouverture des joints. Sous verre. The headdress, the ear and the hair are more three-dimensional than on catalogue illustration. Please note that the work has not been unframed for the purpose of this condition report. Good overall condition. An horizontal seam in the upper part, very visible in the catalogue illustration. Possible areas of restoration to the edges and in the background, which does not interrupt the decoration. Light decoloration in some areas. The right edge with a minor discontinuity, possibly original. A few minor losses to the gold, consistent with age and use. A red painted wood frame with gilt in the corner, considerable losses of paint and seam separation. Glass front.
"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."

Artiste d'origine russe, Michel Adlen né 1898, suit une formation de peintre à Vienne où il expose dès 1922 ; l'année suivante il participe à plusieurs expositions d'art graphique à Berlin avant d'arriver à Paris, terre d'accueil des peintres qui, venus de l'est-européen, s'installent à Montparnasse et se frottent à l'avant-garde pour former l'École de Paris. En 1925 Adlen traverse sa période "cubiste". Dès 1928, les musées de Moscou et de Kiev font acquisition de certaines de ses gravures. 

Michel Adlen was born in Russia in 1898 and studied painting in Vienna, where he exhibited for the first time in 1922. After a move to Berlin he took part in graphic art exhibitions before arriving in Paris where he joined the many east European artists who travelled to the city for its avant-grade inspiration.  Here he became part of the so-called Ecole de Paris and began working in the Cubist style.  From 1928, the museums of Kiev and Moscow started collecting his engravings.