Christian Bérard

Galerie du Passage, Paris

"Paris Notes," Vogue, August 1947, p. 157 (for a descripton of Bérard's decor)
Irene Lidova, "La Nuit du Panache," L'Officiel de la Mode, nos. 305-306, 1947, pp. 66-67 (for period images and descriptions of the event)
Jean-Calude Daufresne, Fêtes à Paris au XXe Siècle: Architectures Éphémères de 1919 à 1989, Paris, 2001, pp. 205-206

Generally very good overall condition. Each panel with a fairly even overall surface tone with some areas of darkening from age and light soiling. The female panel appears to have a repaired six inch horizontal shrinkage crack to the left proper side and a repaired three inch horizontal shrinkage crack to the right proper side with some areas of retouching. The male panel has two edge chips to the right proper side. There is some chipping to the center of the top edge just above the helmet. This chipping appears to be from mounting the work. The figure's rouge plume has areas of inpainting and has some minute visible chips to the pigment. Under an ultraviolet light source both panels have areas of scattered inpainting throughout, notably to the edges and cream backgrounds.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Christian Bérard was a prolific French painter, illustrator and costume designer in the first half of the 20th century.  He was greatly influenced by the work of Édouard Vuillard and as he matured he became very active in the Parisian avant garde scene of the interwar period.  Bérard counted Diego and Alberto Giacometti, Jean-Michel Frank, Coco Chanel and Jean Cocteau among his friends and collaborators.

The present lot relates very closely to Bérard's set design compositions for the Ballet des Champs-Elysées.  The decorative panels were created for the "Bal du Panache" which was held at the Maison de l' Amerique Latine, In Paris during the summer of 1947.  The event was Bérard's idea backed by the support of British ambassador Sir Alfred Duff Cooper for the benefit of the Marie-Thérèse Health Center in Malakoff.  The party was one of the first few large events hosted after the second World War and was seen as vibrant return to the glittering Parisian social scene prior to the war and subsequent occupation.  The Ball's theme was that of panache or style and the female guests were encouraged to wear elaborate plumed hair ornaments.  Bérard's decor consisted of vined trellises, painted heraldic devices and white-plumed suits of armor.  These cartouches were incorporated into the elaborate boiseries of the grand salon of Maison de l' Amerique Latine.  They are a remarkably rare survival capturing an ephemeral moment in time.