HENRI MATISSE | Portrait de Greta Prozor

Walther Halvorsen, Paris & Norway (a gift from the artist)
F. Mundler, Lausanne
Private Collection, Europe (acquired from the above in 2003; sale: Sotheby's, London, 24th June 2014, lot 108)
Purchased at the above sale by the present owner

Executed on white wove paper, not laid down and hinged to the mount in two places at the upper edge. There is a repaired tear (approx 2.5cm. long) to the left part of the lower edge and a tiny diagonal tear (less than 0.5cm long) to the upper right corner. There are some small nicks to the right part of the lower edge and some very minor staining to the paper surface at the lower left corner. This work is in overall good 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."

The daughter of the Lithuanian Ambassador to Rome, Greta Prozor came from a distinguished family of noble Polish-Lithuanian descent. She was the first actress to play the title role of Hedda in Ibsen’s original production of Hedda Gabbler at the Théâtre de l’Œuvre in 1911, and regularly frequented the circles of the artists who ensconced themselves at the Bateau-Lavoir artists’ residence in Paris. Among these was Henri Matisse, whose most well-known portrait of Greta is currently held in the permanent collection of the Centre Pompidou, Paris (fig. 1). The first owner of this work was celebrated Norwegian painter, critic and dealer Walther Halvorsen, husband of Greta Prozor, who became a student of Matisse until 1910 and introduced Impressionist, Cubist and Modern art to Scandinavia.