LOT DETAILS

Materials:

oil on canvas

Size Notes:

41,6 x 27,2 cm; 16? x 10 in.

Edition:

A whimsical personality of pre-war Paris, Brard tried his hand at many genres: portraitist, landscape painter, figure painter. He also created many theatre sets and costumes. He was close to Coco Chanel, Jean Cocteau, and Marie-Laure de Noailles as well as to the actor-director Louis Jouvet. From the 1920s onwards, he grew a beard and was deliberately unkept. This, combined with his sense of humor and easygoingness, made him one of the most eccentric - and gifted - figures of the artistic world until his sudden death in 1949. This self-portrait is very similar to the self-portrait with shawl painted by Brard in 1933, in which the artist depicted himself in a three-quarter view in a slightly larger frame and using lighter tones (B. Kochno, Christian Brard, Paris, 1987, pp.97 and 126, no.62).

Description:

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Markings:

indistinctly signed Brard and dated 34 (lower right)

Condition:

The work has been examined framed. The canvas is lined. There is an uneven and milky varnish preventing UV light from fully penetrating, however examination under UV light appears to reveal a few tiny dots of cosmetic retouching towards the centre of the lower edge in the two lower fingers. There is scattered paint shrinkage in the black background, most predominately to the left part of the composition. There is some slight frame rubbing along the extreme edges. This work is in overall good 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."

Exhibited:

New York, Julien Levy Gallery, A Decade of Painting, 1929-1939, 1939, no. 9 (probably) __________________________________________________________________________ New York, Julien Levy Gallery, A Decade of Painting, 1929-1939, 1939, no. 9 (probablement)

Provenance:

Julien Lvy, Paris Sale: Tajan, Paris, October 6, 2004, Hommage Julien Lvy, lot 453 __________________________________________________________________________ Julien Lvy, Paris Vente: Tajan, Paris, 6 octobre 2004, Hommage Julien Lvy, lot 453