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Sale 2556 | Lot 52
Additional images and condition
Sale 2556 - Lot 52
Couple in Lamp Light. Watercolor on paper. 178x247 mm; 7x9 3/4 inches, on 8 1/4x10 1/4-inch sheet. Signed "Ludwig Bemelmans" and dated [19]33 in lower right image. Inscribed "To Frank + Helen" in graphite along lower center edge. Taped to window matte.
A sweet and fairly early illustration by Bemelmans. The dog is quite similar to his pet dachshund, Waldl, and the man at the table resembles his famous cartoon strip character of the 1920s, Count Bric-a-Brac. The setting reflects his Austrian heritage, also typical of his work of that period.
Graphite border around image with printer's notations in margins. Dried and discolored adhesive residue in margins and covering verso. Partial pencil sketches on verso with old tape in upper corners. Attached to matte with single strip of non-archival tape at upper center of verso.
Condition reports and additional images are provided as a courtesy and should be used by you to aid in the formation of your own opinion regarding condition. All material is sold subject to Swann's standard terms and conditions of sale as published in our catalogues and posted on our website, and include the following terms: (1) all property is sold "as-is"; and (2) works cannot be returned on the basis of condition.