Gustav Adolf MOSSA (Nice, 1883 - 1971) Justice Watercolour gouache over pen and red ink, and pencil line Signed, localised and dated 'GUSTAV ADOLF MOSSA / NICIENSIS. FECIT MCMVI' upper right, and titled 'JUSTI E' in the centre 31.5 x 11.5 cm Provenance: Collection of Jacques and Michèle Ginepro (collection mark affixed several times to the mount on the reverse); Then by descent ; Private collection, Monaco Bibliography: Sylvie Lombart, Jean-Roger Soubiran, Gustav Adolf Mossa, Catalogue Raisonné des oeuvres "symbolistes", Paris, 2010, p. 198, no. A 133, repr. This allegory of justice illustrates the ambivalence with which the artist treats the question of virtues in his iconography. Here, the 'C' of justice is deliberately masked to suggest another letter, possibly the 'N', which links the woman depicted to Sade's heroine Justine. This interpretation, proposed in the catalogue raisonné, adds to the already powerful image of the femme fatale wielding a bloody sword. We would like to thank Mr Jean-Roger Soubiran for kindly confirming the authenticity of this drawing in an email dated 14 January 2025. The buyer may request a certificate from him. Gustav Adolf MOSSA (Nice, 1883 - 1971) 31.5 x 11.5 cm This allegory of justice illustrates the ambivalence with which the artist treats the question of virtues in his iconography. Here, the 'C' of justice is deliberately masked to suggest another letter, possibly the 'N', which links the woman depicted to Sade's heroine Justine. This interpretation, proposed in the catalogue raisonné, adds to the already powerful image of the femme fatale wielding a bloody sword. We would like to thank Mr Jean-Roger Soubiran for kindly confirming the authenticity of this drawing in an email dated 14 January 2025. The buyer may request a certificate from him.