Jean Cocteau (French, 1889-1963) Edith Piaf dans 'Le Bel Indifferent'
Lot 6
Jean Cocteau
(French, 1889-1963)
Edith Piaf dans 'Le Bel Indifferent'
£1,500 - 2,000
US$ 1,900 - 2,600

Amended
Lot Details
Jean Cocteau (French, 1889-1963)
Edith Piaf dans 'Le Bel Indifferent'
inscribed 'Edith Piaf' (upper right), pen and ink
26 x 20.5cm (10 1/4 x 8 1/16in).

Footnotes

  • EXHIBITED:
    Paris, Le Salon des Peintres du Spectacle, 1995
    Bruxelles, Musee d'Ixelles, 1991
    Baden-Baden, Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden-Baden, 1989, no 98

    'Le Bel Indifferent' had been written by Cocteau for Edith Piaf (1915-1963). Opening in the spring of 1940, the one act play was received with critical acclaim, and contributed to Piaf's success as one of France's most popular entertainers of the 1940s. Her father, a street performer, had encouraged his daughter to sing from the age of 14, and by the mid-1930s she was working in the nightclubs of Paris. Of diminutive stature, she became known as Piaf, a colloquialism for sparrow, and this, along with her distinctive black attire gave her a lasting stage image. After the War Piaf toured internationally, helping launch the careers of both Yves Montard and Charles Aznavour. Her songs, notably La vie en rose and Non, je ne regrette rien have led to her being regarded as France's greatest popular singer.

Saleroom notices

  • Please note that the work should be catalogued as 20th Century School and not as stated in the catalogue. It has been suggested that the work is possibly by Christian Berard. We would like to thank Annie Guedras for her assistance in advising on this lot.
Activities
Auction information

This sale is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future sales, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this sale, please contact customer services.

Buyers' Obligations

ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.

If you have any complaints or questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest customer services team.

Buyers' Premium and Charges

For all Sales categories excluding Wine, Coins & Medals and Motor Cars and Motorcycles:
A successful bidder at this sale will be required to pay Bonhams 1793 Limited ("Bonhams") a premium calculated as follows:
25% on the first £100,000 of the hammer price
20% on the excess of £100,001 and up to £2,000,000 of the hammer price
12% on the excess of £2,000,001 of the hammer price

VAT at 20% will be payable on the amount of the premium.

The premium is payable for the services to be provided by Bonhams in the Buyer's Agreement which is contained in the catalogue for this Sale and for the opportunity to bid for the Lot at the Sale.

Payment Notices

Payment in advance: by cash, cheque with banker's card, credit card, bank draft or traveller's cheque.

Payment at collection: by credit or debit card.

Credit card charges: a surcharge of 2% is applicable when using Mastercard, Visa and overseas debit cards.

Shipping Notices

For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licences please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.

Similar Items