Bernard Boutet de Monvel

Bernard Boutet de Monvel, The Society of the Four Arts, Palm Beach, Floride, 1937, titré Portrait

Stéphane-Jacques Addade, Bernard Boutet de Monvel, Paris, 2001, reproduit p. 288;
Stéphane-Jacques Addade, Bernard Boutet de Monvel, Paris, 2016, reproduit p. 303

The painting sits on its original canvas and is presented in its original frame. A certain number of cracks are visible on the surface, especially in the white parts : in the upper part of Delfina's forehead, on the dress, sleeves, and right shoulder. A horizontal piece of canvas was added in the lower part (visible in the catalogue). A few nail holes are visible along the borders of the composition. Under UV light, minor losses are visible in the background, on Delfina's forehead, her hair, her left sleeve, her chest. Small retouches scattered on her dress and where the canvas line was added are visible, especially in the lower part of the dress (visible to the naked eye, and under UV light).
"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."

Assise près de la cheminée du petit salon du 11 passage de la Visitation, devant laquelle Boutet de Monvel avait déjà fait poser le Maharadjah d’Indore en habit du soir en 1929, Delfina Boutet de Monvel, originaire de Valparaiso au Chili, semble jouer un air de guitare dans l’intimité, pour quelques amis.

Parée de quelques-uns de ses plus beaux bijoux, dont le superbe bracelet de la maison Cartier à son poignet gauche (voir l’illustration ci-dessous), l’épouse du peintre porte une robe du soir en soie blanche agrémentée d’une superbe dentelle de Chantilly.

Un bouquet monté en coquillages est posé sur la cheminée. D'autres bouquets similaires sont présentés dans la vente, lots 68 et 152.

Bernard Boutet de Monvel, qui portait une affection particulière à ce portrait réalisé durant l’été 1936, le présenta dès l’année suivante à la Society of the Four Arts à Palm Beach, puis le conserva, accroché au-dessus de la cheminée de la pièce principale de la Folie Monvel, la maison qu’il s’était fait construire à Palm Beach par Maurice Fatio (voir l'illustration ci-contre).

The artist's Chilian wife, Delfina, is playing the guitare, possibly for some friends, by the chimney where the Maharajah of Indore stood a few years earlier, for the 1929 portrait. She is wearing a beautiful Cartier bracelet (see illustration below). Executed in 1936, the painting was exhibited the next year in Florida. Very fond of this portrait, Bernard Boutet de Monvel chose to keep it in his house, the Folie Monvel, in Palm Beach (see illustration hereby). A shell bunch is on the chimney. See lot 68 and 152 for similar shell bunches.