Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8

Ludwig Bemelmans, 1898-1962
Debonair Man Cuts his Mustache in Front of Mirror

1950s

About the Item

Welcome to the wonderfully delightful mind of Ludwig Bemelmans. With a few quick lines, Bemelmans captures the essence of a subject. In this work, the artist portrays a distinguished man in formal attire, trimming his mustache in front of a mirror and we see his reflection in the mirror. This is a deceptively great Bemelmans because it evokes the artist's unique brand of wit and charm and in just a few lines. Not all of his work does. Bemelmans genius is in his almost child-like style where he pushes the expressive possibilities farther and it reinforces the moods of the characters. I think the Mustache is a complete masterpiece. He nails it. It’s a perfect artistic statement. It's packed with charm and big on concept. Next to Bemelman's Madeline characters, it's his debonair types that get the most collector interest. The hierarchy of Bemelmans work is based on the subject matter, which drives collector interest and price. 1: Madeline 2: Debonair Maître d or waiter or hi-brow servant types 3: Animals 4: Locations His Madelines are the most sought after and next are his charming or dapper men. It's an iconic piece.... so simple but so charming in a way only Bemelmans could do it. Initialed lower right LB. Work is framed under glass, Some fading of the watercolor color in the mirror reflections. Buckling to the paper most noticeably with raking light, Framed Dimensions 20.25 X 16.75 Inches
  • Creator:
    Ludwig Bemelmans, 1898-1962 (1898 - 1962, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1950s
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 11.75 in (29.85 cm)Width: 8.85 in (22.48 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Some fading of the watercolor color in the mirror reflections. Buckling to the paper most noticeably with raking light, the edges of the sheet are unevenly cut, possibly inherent with the work. Sheet adhered to support paper.
  • Gallery Location:
    Miami, FL
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU385310098852
More From This SellerView All
  • Romantic Couple In Wartime Paris on Rainy Parisian Night
    Located in Miami, FL
    The technique and subject matter work well together in this loosely but masterfully rendered World War 1 romantic illustration of a Soldier and a Parisian woman. Even though this wo...
    Category

    1930s Romantic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Ink, Watercolor, Pencil

  • Class Struggle - Fay the Maid Dusts Henry Moore - New Yorker Magazine?
    Located in Miami, FL
    Mary Petty gained fame as a cover artist for The New Yorker, illustrating a fictional upper-class Manhattan family called the Peabodys. One of the main char...
    Category

    1940s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Ink, Watercolor

  • Christus am Oelberg - Christ on the Mount of Olives
    By George Grosz
    Located in Miami, FL
    This work is accompanied by a Photo-certificate and essay from Ralph Jentsch who will include it in his forthcoming catalogue raisonné Signed lower right. Estate stamp on ...
    Category

    1930s Dada Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Ink, Watercolor

  • Vogue Magazine Illustration Turn of the Century - Woman Illustrator
    By Helen Dryden
    Located in Miami, FL
    Early in the artist's career most likely for Vogue Magazine. Signed lower left. Helen Dryden (1882–1972) was an American artist and successful industrial designer in the 1920s and 1...
    Category

    1910s Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Pencil, Graphite, Gouache, India Ink

  • How About a Little More Coffee, New Yorker Cartoon
    Located in Miami, FL
    Interpretation 1: An utterly exhausted man collapses face-first into a diner's countertop. His face and the countertop become one. Seemingly oblivious to the acute nature of the man's condition, the night server gleefully offers him coffee instead of more appropriate help. Interpretation 2: The night server/psycho killer pours unsuspecting customer poisoned coffee and then taunts his lifeless body in a victorious tone. Like Charles Addams...
    Category

    1990s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Ink, Watercolor

  • Stylish 80's Women, Fashion Illustration
    By Antonio Lopez
    Located in Miami, FL
    Work is not framed. Done for a Manhattan fashion house in the 1980's
    Category

    1980s Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Ink, Watercolor, Pencil

You May Also Like

Recently Viewed

View All