Description:Mysterious and intriguing, beautiful and captivating, this original, unique drawing portrays Monsieur Willy in fine form. The point of view is probably the most fascinating of all, capturing the gentlemen in a state of repose, leaning up against an object with his left elbow propped to eye level. His left leg bends casually as we can see the weight against his right, supporting leg. He is shown here in proper early 19th century costume, complete with top hat, coat, and boots. We are shown a revealing glimpse of barely a profile of his face, illuminated with a touch of white which highlights the entire composition. This use of white is echoed further along the leg and parts of the boots.
This original pencil and pastel drawing on paper features the artist’s stamp, ‘Atelier Ed. Degas’ in red in the lower right (Lugt 657) .
PROVENANCE:
The Artist’s Estate
Anon. sale, Christie’s London, 4 April 1989, lot 304A where it sold for $32,000
Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
It is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the final sale of the work) :
1) Lugt, Fritz. Les Marques de Collections de Dessins & D’Estampes, Vereenigde Drukkerijen: Amsterdam, 1921. Stamp listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 657 on pgs. 117-8.
About the Framing:
Conservation framed in a Baroque-inspired gold frame, the beautiful design in the moulding is the perfect compliment for this theatrical piece. The delicate gold highlights in Degas’ gray-brown backing paper are gracefully accentuated by the luminous gold frame. The subtle tonalities of light and dark in the lithograph are complimented by the crisp white linen wrapped mat. A matching gold inner fillet and Plexiglas cover finish the framing. All materials used are museum quality and archival.
NOTE: Our master framer custom frames all our works specifically for our company. If our selection of framing is not to your taste, we can easily custom frame the work to meet your needs.
