Jean Dupas

Acquired at the time of the Normandie disassembly, circa 1946
Thence by descent

The Normandie: Floating Art Deco Palace, Bass Museum of Art, Miami, January 15-March 28, 1993

Louis Cheronnet, "Normandie," Art et Décoration, July 1935, p. 254
Yvanhoé Rambosson, "Le Paquebot Normandie, Héraut de France," July 1935, pp. 267-268
Alain Lesieutre, The Spirit and Splendor of Art Deco, New York, 1974, p. 27 
Pierre Kjellberg, Art Déco: Les Maîtres du Mobilier, Paris, 1981, p. 263 
Bruno Foucart, et al., Normandie Queen of the Seas, New York, 1985, p. 72 
Louis-Rene Vian, Arts Décoratifs À Bord des Paquebots Français 1880-1960, Paris, 1992, pp. 192-199
John Maxtone-Graham, Normandie: France's Legendary Art Deco Oceanliner, New York, 2007, pp. 92-93, 206 and 245
Carol Herselle Krinsky, "Art Deco Aboard Normandie," Seaport, March-May 2010, pp. 28 and 30-31

Overall excellent condition. This series of panels with a dynamic portion of the narrative displaying the deeply sculptural figures that characterised Dupas masterwork. The edges of the verre eglomisé panels with some very minor rubbing to the painted surface. A few minor edge chips concentrated around the notched portions of the glass, where the original fastening hardware would have attached. The panel showed to the left in the catalogue illustration have been sensitively cleaned and polished by a leading restorer. The left corner presented with some minor losses that have been filled and stabilized with cast epoxy. The same restorer has sensitively painted the some missing areas approximately one inch from the lower border, extending in length six inches. The restoration can be reversed should one wish. These areas present slightly green in hue; the largest measuring one half in length. The colours of the panel remain vivid throughout, showcasing vivid gold and silver hues. The second panel, illustrated on the left of the catalogue page, with a minor surface fleck to the proper left edge at the centre of the panel, measuring ¾ inches in length. A leading restorer has sensitively painted to cover some of the minor losses to the painting. The restoration can be reversed should one wish. A highly expressive and extraordinary set of adjacent panels from this remarkable commission.
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.