Bernard Boutet de Monvel

Bacchus : A light scratch is visible on Bacchus' hair. Under UV light, small repaints are scattered in the background. Light repaints on Bacchus' abdomen, on his legs and on the pillar appear. Small white dirt spots appear on the surface in the background. Lower left, the canvas which is laid-down, is slightly detaching from the panel. Good overall condition. Cérès (with the 2016 stamp) : The same white dirt spots are visible on the surface. Under UV light, two repaints are visible in the background. Thin touches fluoresce on Cérès' costume, her leg, her forehead and her lip. These are probably due to retouches executed by the artist later on, or a repaint. Good overall condition. Cérès (signed): Small nail holes appear along the borders of the canvas, barely visible. Under UV light, small retouches are visible in the background and on the borders, and a small retouch on Cérès'arm. Good overall condition. Pomona : Small nail holes appear along the borders of the canvas, barely visible. The same white dirt spots are scattered on the surface. Under UV light, squared up lines appear on the white borders. In the background, minor retouches are visible on Pomona's right arm, the drapery, her foot, and her ankle. On her face, some small areas fluoresce : on her forehead, her cheek, and her hair. These are probably due to a later repaint by the artist himself. Good overall 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."

Epouse de Henry H. Rogers Jr. (1879 - 1935), héritier avec les Rockefeller de la Standard Oil Cie, Mary Benjamin Rogers (1876-1957) amie intime de Bernard Boutet de Monvel depuis le milieu des années 20, lui commanda en 1929 quatre panneaux décoratifs pour le vestibule de l’hôtel de Parieu, sa maison néoclassique du 14, rue Las Cases à Paris. Ces panneaux en trompe l’œil simulaient des niches accueillant une statue de terre cuite : Cérès, Pomone, Bacchus et Actéon. Pour la création de ces panneaux, Bernard Boutet de Monvel fut amené à réaliser deux Cérès dont un seul fut livré. Les décors présentés ici figurant Pomone, Bacchus et Cérès sont soit trois des œuvres qui ornèrent l’hôtel de Mary Rogers et qui furent ensuite restituées au peintre ou à sa femme, soit des répliques restées dans l’atelier de l’artiste.

On sait que la commanditaire, particulièrement enchantée de ses panneaux eut l’élégance d’en payer à Bernard Boutet de Monvel un prix supérieur à celui qu’il en demandait ; en remerciement, le peintre offrit à cette dernière deux nouveaux panneaux allégoriques pour la bibliothèque de sa maison du 4, Sutton Square à New York.

Voir le lot 298 pour des dessins préparatoires.

Miss H.H. Rogers Jr. asked her friend Boutet de Monvel to design decorative panels for the lobby of her mansion in Paris, rue Las Cases. The subjects were Ceres, Pomona, Bacchus and Actaeon. Pomona, Bacchus and one of the two Ceres that we are presenting here may have been the ones originally in the house, recuperated by Bernard Boutet de Monvel or by his wife, or other versions that stayed in the artist's studio. See lot 298 for preparatory drawings.