Bernard Boutet de Monvel

Profiles, Bernard Boutet de Monvel, Knoedler Galleries, New York, 10 - 29 novembre 1947, n°59;
Cinquantenaire du Salon d'automne, 1953, d'après une étiquette au dos (ne figure pas dans le catalogue)

Stéphane-Jacques Addade, Bernard Boutet de Monvel, Paris 2001 (pour l'illustration de la version du Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lille, p. 96)

The painting which is on its orginal canvas would benefit from a light cleaning. The visual in the catalogue appears more pink than the painting is in reality. Under UV light, small traces are visible : in the lower left and on the grandmother's face, small traces fluoresce and may be dirt or may be due to a pigment used by the artist. Small cracks and a beginning of raising of the matter are barely visible on the surface. Good overall 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."

En janvier 1906, grippée, “la chère mère-grand” de l’artiste, Madame Charles Lebaigue (née Claire Trotignon), fut contrainte de garder la chambre plusieurs semaines durant. De cet incident, Bernard Boutet de Monvel, qui lui rendit régulièrement visite, fit le sujet d’une composition qui remporta un vif succès au Salon d’Automne de 1906 (aujourd’hui conservée au musée des Beaux-Arts de Lille).

Dans notre version, d’un format plus réduit et exécutée vers 1910, l’artiste chercha à restituer l’atmosphère intimiste explorée par les Nabis et notamment par Edouard Vuillard dans Au lit (1891). Voir le lot 222 pour un dessin préparatoire et les lots 331 et 341 pour des gravures d'après la version de Lille.

Circa 1910, Boutet de Monvel depicts his grand-mother, Madame Charles Lebaigue (née Claire Trotignon), in Nemours, lying in bed. A similar painting with a few differences is kept at the Musée des Beaux-Arts of Lille. See lots 331 and 341 for prints after the Lille version ; see lot 222 for a preparatory drawing.