- 230
Alphonse Mucha
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 USD
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Description
- Alphonse Mucha
- La Princesse Lointaine
- signed Mucha in pencil (lower right)
- watercolor over pencil on Turkey Mill 1886 watermarked paper
the border with pen, ink and watercolor with gold edging
Provenance
Katia Pissaro, Paris
Acquired from the above by the present owner, circa 1988
Acquired from the above by the present owner, circa 1988
Literature
Charles Masson, "Mucha," Art et Décoration, January-June 1900, pp. 132-133 (for the final, executed design of the decorative panel)
Jiri Mucha, The Graphic Work of Alphonse Mucha, London, 1973, p. 103 (for the lithograph)
Mucha 1860-1939, Peintures, Illustrations-affiches, arts décoratifs, exh. cat., Paris, 1980, p. 300 (for the oil on board of Sarah Bernhard en Princesse Lointaine, 1903)
Jiri Mucha, The Graphic Work of Alphonse Mucha, London, 1973, p. 103 (for the lithograph)
Mucha 1860-1939, Peintures, Illustrations-affiches, arts décoratifs, exh. cat., Paris, 1980, p. 300 (for the oil on board of Sarah Bernhard en Princesse Lointaine, 1903)
Condition
In the present lot, the decorative motifs in the background were possibly added by the printer's workshop to enhance Mucha's drawing (the central part, the image of Sarah Bernhardt as La Princese Lointaine).
The decorated mount board and the frame are modern additions.
Overall in very good condition.
Image: Fading and minor scattered discolorations.
Sheet: surface dirt, studio dirt and color, especially along left edge. Ripping from handling surface.
Repaired losses along majority of right edge. Vertical cut to sheet, repaired, extending 8 1/2 from bottom edge, 1 in. from right edge.
Border: top edge abraded slightly. hinged in one spot along top right edge. surface dirt from handling light and mat stain. Verso with tape remnants.
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.
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.
Catalogue Note
The present lot is believed to be a study for the La Princesse Lointaine panel, produced for the foyer decoration at the Theatre Sarah Bernhardt Place du Châtelet, Paris, which was acquired by Sarah Bernhardt in 1899.
A reproduction in the Mucha Trust Collection shows the same image of Bernhardt, decorated with simple curving lines and a border motif featuring lily blossom. In the present lot, the decorative motifs in the background were possibly added by the printer's workshop to enhance Mucha's drawing of the central composition, Sarah Bernhardt as La Princesse Lointaine.
We would like to thank the Mucha Foundation for their assistance with the authentication and cataloguing of this lot.