Pavel Tchelitchew (Russian/American, 1898-1957)
Costume Design for The Prince in Violin Concerto, 1942
Inscribed "III partie Mozart le Prince" u.c., numbered "12" l.r., identified on a
label from Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, New York, on the frame backing.
Gouache and pencil on paper, 14 x 7 1/2 in. (35.6 x 19.1 cm), in a double-sided frame.
Condition: Not examined out of frame, a separate sheet of sketches with notes on costume materials is included at the back of the double-sided frame.
Provenance: Acquired by Robert Bunting on May 11, 1993, from Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, New York, from the exhibition Pavel Tchelitchew: Nature Transformed; The Robert Bunting Dance Collection, American & European Works of Art, Skinner, Inc., September 20, 2013, Sale 2673B, Lot 442, to the current owner.
Literature: Pavel Tchelitchew: Nature Transformed, Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, New York, April 3-May 29, 1993, exhibition catalog, ill. p. 28.
N.B. Set to Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5 (K. 219), the ballet Violin Concerto was choreographed by George Balanchine in 1942 for the Ballet of the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires.
According to Donald Windham in his 1942 monograph, Tchelitchew, published in Dance Index, Vol. III, nos. 1, 2, January to February 1944, Concerto was one of two ballets (the other being Apollon Musagete) for which Tchelitchew created the decor before he 'retired from the theater' and began a new direction in painting.
We wish to thank Erik LaPrade for his kind assistance with cataloging the lot.
Estimate $2,000-3,000
The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.