Walter E. Spindler

43 by 34cm., 17 by 13½in. DESCRIPTION oil on panel PROVENANCE Lady Abdy, London EXHIBITED Paris, Espace Pierre Cardin, Sarah Bernhardt, 1976, no. 76,illustratedL'Estampille, no. 78, June 1976, p. 9, illustrated CATALOGUE NOTE Never afraid to tackle a male role, Sarah Bernhardt made therole of Lorenzaccio one of the most definitive of her illustriouscareer. The play Lorenzaccio was originally written byAlfred de Musset in 1863, but Sarah Bernhardt edited and adaptedthe play for herself, with the new version opening on 3 December1896. The story was based on the life of Lorenzo the Magnificent(1449-1492) patriarch of the powerful Medici family ofFlorence.

signed Walter Spindler and dated MDCCCXCVI lower left, titled upper right oil on canvas Condition Note: Lined canvas. The surface is pressed and slightly thinner on the face; a small repaired tear at center left and retouches to paint loss along a horizontal line at center left, above the repair; the surface is very yellow. We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described in our catalogue. 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. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSION CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Walter Spindler (1878-1940) Night, after Michelangelo signed 'WALTER SPINDLER, dedicated and dated'.SARAH.BERNHARDT.MDCCCXCVIII.' and inscribed'LA.NOTTE.DE.MICHELANGELO','GRATO.M.E.'L.SONNO.E.PIV.L'ESSER.DI.SASSO/MENTRE.CHE'L.DANNO.E.LA.VERGOGNA.DURA./NON.VEDER.NON.SENTIR.M'E.GRAN.VENTURA/PERO.NON.MI.DESTAR.DEH.PARLA.BASSO.' black and red chalk, pen and brown ink, watercolour, bodycolourheightened with gold on blue paper 211 x 267 mm. (8¼ x 10½ in.) Provenance Sarah Bernhardt; Paris, 11-13 June 1923 (165 francs, accordingto Benezit, IX, p. 750).

Walter E. Spindler British, 1878-1940 SARAH BERNHARDT - DIVA Signed and dated WALTER SPINDLER/FEC/ANNO MDCCCXCIV (ll) andinscribed DIVA/SARAH BERNHARDT/MVSA/INSPIRATRIX (ur) Oil on board 24 x 19 inches There is an old receipt affixed to the back that reads: CharlesHessele/54-56 Rue Laffitte - Paris/Recu de Madam/Sarah Bernhardt/56Bd. Pereine/...portrait/par/Walter Spindler Estimate $2,000-3,000