Lila de Nobili

Place Vendôme photographed in the drawing room at Durham Cottage, Chelsea before 1954;
Anthony Denney, 'The Oliviers off stage', House and Garden, May 1958, Place Vendôme illustrated in the hall at Eaton Square, Belgravia, p. 63.

The canvas appears to be original and unlined. There are some lines of craquelure apparent tin places, most apparent in the sky area to the left of the column with further minor lines visible elsewhere. There is some surface dirt apparent. There is a slight possible indentation in the blue pigment to the right of the column which may have occurred when the paint was still wet. Inspection under ultra violet light reveals no obvious signs of fluorescence or restoration. The painting is framed with a simple white slip and a moulded and gilded oval frame. There are some losses to the gilt frame at the lower edge. The work on paper is unexamined out of the frame. The sheet slightly undulates in places. Subject to the above the work is in overall very good condition. The painting is framed by a carved and gilded wooden oval frame, and held behind glass. Please telephone the department on +44 (0) 207 293 6424 if you have any questions regarding the present lot.
"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."

Lila de Nobili was a visionary Italian stage and costume designer known and admired for her work throughout the 1950s and 60s. Embracing the use of found materials and vintage fabrics she pioneered a style of costume design which allowed for fantastical leaps of imagination through grounding a production in practical reality. She was also a skilled painter, and devoted much of her later life to this.