Ernest Biéler

Robert Faillettaz-L'Epée, Lausanne
Private collection, Vaud
Sotheby's, Zurich, 27th November 2007, lot 37
Purchased at the above sale by the present owner

Berne, Kunsthalle, Ernest Biéler, 1938, Nr. 58
Savièse, Maison de commune de Savièse, Ernest Biéler (1863-1948) - Rétrospective du cinquantenaire, 1998/99, no. 53
Lausanne, Musée cantonal des Beaux-Arts/Solothurn, Kunstmuseum, Ernest Biéler (1863-1948). Du réalisme à l'Art nouveau/Ernest Biéler (1863-1948). Vom Realismus zum Jugendstil, 1999/2000, no. 140
Berne, Kunstmuseum/Martigny, Fondation Pierre Gianadda, Ernest Biéler (1863-1948). Geträumte Wirklichkeit/Ernest Biéler (1863-1948). Réalité rêvée, 2011/12, no. 87

Ernest Biéler, exhibition catalogue, Berne 1938, Nr. 58
Ernest Biéler (1868-1948) - Rétrospective du cinquantenaire, exhibition catalogue, Savièse 1998, no. 53, p. 46, ill. (in colour)
Ernest Biéler (1863-1948). Du réalisme à l'Art nouveau/Ernest Biéler (1863-1948). Vom Realismus zum Jugendstil, exhibition catalogue, Milano/Lausanne 1999/2000, no. 140, p. 139, ill. (full page in colour)
Ernest Biéler (1863-1948). Geträumte Wirklichkeit/Ernest Biéler (1863-1948). Réalité rêvée, exhibition catalogue, Berne 2011/12, no. 87, front cover (in colour), p. 193, ill.

Not unframed. Two minor pinholes on the lower edge. Minor foxing in the blue skirt. Excellent 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."

This extraordinary full-length portrait depicts three young girls from the village of Savièse and is considered as an iconic work of Biéler's by art historians and specialists. As in other portraits of this period, he depicts the traditions of Valais through a dedicated attention to traditional costumes and landscapes. The facial features are slightly uniform in order to focus on the composition and in particular on the village described in detail in the background. Biéler constantly tends to highlight rural motifs, the authenticity and permanence of traditions rather than individuals.

This work will be included in the upcoming catalogue raisonné by Ethel Mathier.

Dieses aussergewöhnliche Portrait zeigt drei junge Mädchen aus dem Dorf Savièse in Ganzfigur, und wird von Kunsthistorikern (und Experten) als ein Schlüsselwerk von Biéler eingestuft. Wie in anderen Portraits aus derselben Zeit ist auch hier Bièlers Aufmerksamkeit der ortstypischen Walliser Tracht und der Landschaft gewidmet. Im Kontrast stehen die willentlich etwas vereinheitlichten Gesichtszüge mit dem detailtreuen Bildhintergrund, welcher mühelos die Dorfszenerie wiedergibt. Bièler setzte sich kontinuierlich mit ländlichen Sujets auseinander und die Authentizität und Dauerhaftigkeit der Tradition hatten stets Vorrang gegenüber den Individuen.

Ethel Mathier wird diese Arbeit in den Oeuvrekatalog Ernest Biéler aufnehmen.