Bernard Boutet de Monvel

Bernard Boutet de Monvel et la décoration, Galerie du Passage, Paris, 2001, Allégorie de Bernard Boutet de Monvel reproduit dans la brochure

Stéphane-Jacques Addade, Bernard Boutet de Monvel, Paris, 2001, reproduits p.194-195;
Stéphane-Jacques Addade, Bernard Boutet de Monvel, Paris, 2016, reproduits p. 206-207

Allegory of Delfina : Nails on the borders are covered with the painting : the panel is thus nailed on a thicker panel. Minor holes caused by the use of compass by the painter appear on the guitar and on the globe. Traces of the 2016 stamp are visible lower left and on the back of the composition. Under UV light, a repaint is visible where was a lock previously (on the right, mid-height). Minor retouches are visibles lower right ; minor cracks have been filles lower left and thin vertical cracks have been filles lower right. Allegory of Bernard : Nails are covered with the painting, as described above. Traces of the 2016 stamp on the lower left. Under UV light, a repaint is visible where a lock used to be, on the left hand-side, mid-height. A minor scratch (2cm) is visible lower right; and three retouches are scattered in the background. A repaint is also visible on the right hand-side, from the top to the bottom (width : 2 cm). In the background, minor filles rifts appear on the right and two rifts alone on the right. The colors are more vivid in reality. Both paintings are in excellent condition.
"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."

Bernard Boutet de Monvel exécuta ces deux pendants vers 1930 pour la bibliothèque de son hôtel particulier du 11 passage de la Visitation.

Stéphane-Jacques Addade les décrit ainsi " Deux panneaux allégoriques des plus symboliques. Placés en vis-à-vis, l'un réunit la palette, la règle et le compas - instruments d'architecte devenus les accessoires d'un peintre -, l'autre, des fruits exotiques d'Amérique du Sud, une guitare, un globe terrestre et une pile des ouvrages écrits par le poète Andrès Bello ou Joachim et Oscar Edwards." (op. cit. 2001, p. 199). On sait en effet que Delfina Boutet de Monvel (née Edwards Bello) était originaire du Chili. En 1918, l’artiste créa le dessin de ses propres attributs comme cul-de-lampe pour son album de guerre inédit : Les mois de la guerre : 1914 – 1918 (voir les lots de dessins 318 à 324).

Bernard Boutet de Monvel conceived two allegorical panels for the library in his home, Passage de la Visitation.
The left panel, with the artist's favorite tools (palette, ruler, compass), represents our painter, Bernard Boutet de Monvel. The panel on the right depicts exotic fruits from South America, a guitar, a globe, and a pile of books written by Andrès Bello or Joachim and Oscar Edwards - several items which recall Delfina's Chilian origins. In 1918, Boutet de Monvel used his own attributes to illustrate Les mois de la guerre 1914 - 1918, his unpublished war album (see preparatory drawings lots 318 -324).