Prostitute with a Dog on a Leash
Graphite on wove paper, circa 1925.
Preparatory and transfer drawing for a lithograph, with clear transfer indication on the verso. This is very likely a rejected composition for a series of lithograph titled "Maisons" from 1925 (Published by Gustave Pellet, Paris). A very similar composition, but with a black woman instead of "our" white subject, is included in this set.
We add an impression of the lithograph (printed on chine paper) which resulted from this drawing, and which does not seem to have ever been published. Sheet size: 8 ½ x 13 inches.
The nude masked woman is barely controlling the dog which seems to be as excited as they get. The pair has seemingly just walked into the room, their intent open for interpretation. We are, however, not left guessing about what goes on in this place: a bed can be seen reflected in the mirror, above a sink, which in the lithograph is accompanied by a bidet.
Provenance: sold at the estate sales of Maurice Exsteens (Bern, 1962) who had inherited the collection of his father-in-law, Gustave Pellet.