- 77
Gustave-Adolphe Mossa
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 EUR
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Description
- Gustave-Adolphe Mossa
- Poppée
- Signed and dated lower left Gustav Adolf Mossa / Niciensis Pinsit MCMVII ; titled lower left
- Pen and black ink, watercolor and black pencil on paper
- 46 x 27,2cm
- 18 1/8 by 10 3/4 in.
Provenance
Charlotte-Andrée Naudin-Mossa (artist's wife) Succession
Nicolette Mossa Bourdin Collection
Galerie Montauti, Nice
Galerie de Francony, Nice
Purchased from the above by the current owners in the 1960s or 1970s
Nicolette Mossa Bourdin Collection
Galerie Montauti, Nice
Galerie de Francony, Nice
Purchased from the above by the current owners in the 1960s or 1970s
Exhibited
Exposition d'oeuvres d'Alexis et de Gustav Adolf Mossa, L'Eclaireur de Nice, Nice, March 12th - April 3rd 1909, n°90
Alexis et Gustav Adold Mossa, peintres niçois, Musée des Beaux-Arts Jules Chéret, Nice, March 15th - May 26th 1974, n°109
Alexis et Gustav Adold Mossa, peintres niçois, Musée des Beaux-Arts Jules Chéret, Nice, March 15th - May 26th 1974, n°109
Literature
Jean-Roger Soubiran, Les Aquarelles symbolistes et la création plastique symboliste de Gustav Adolf Mossa, Thèse de doctorat, Université d'Aix-en-Provence - Marseille, 1978, pp. 557-558, n°182
Jean-Roger Soubiran, Gustav-Adolf Mossa, Nice, 1985, illustrated in full page, p. 233, n°320
Jean-Roger Soubiran, Gustav Adolf Mossa, Catalogue raisonné des oeuvres "symbolistes", Paris, 2010, p. 263 , n°A189
Jean-Roger Soubiran, Gustav-Adolf Mossa, Nice, 1985, illustrated in full page, p. 233, n°320
Jean-Roger Soubiran, Gustav Adolf Mossa, Catalogue raisonné des oeuvres "symbolistes", Paris, 2010, p. 263 , n°A189
Condition
The watercolor has slightly yellowed and faded. A few crinkles and tears are visible on the surface (and visible on the photograph) : in the upper left in the sky, by the tower on the left ; a long irregular tear which goes from Poppee's hands to the bottom of her dress ; and finally three small tears at the bottom of the dress. The photo is slightly more contrasted than the work really is.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Poppee went from being Nero's mistress to his wife. She is holding a highly sophisticated fan decorated with gems and shells, evoking male attributes and suggesting Poppee's influence on Nero, having achieved her goal. Two groups of naked people appear by each of Poppee's shoulders. According to Jean-Roger Soubiran, they represent her hidden desires (op. cit. 1985, p. 228).
Nero stares at the putto he just impaled, surely a symbol of the cruelty he showed his subjects, or announcement of the death he will soon inflict to his wife, pregnant with their baby.
Nero stares at the putto he just impaled, surely a symbol of the cruelty he showed his subjects, or announcement of the death he will soon inflict to his wife, pregnant with their baby.