HENRI MARTIN (FRENCH 1860-1943) Boy with a Sailboat, circa 1932-1935 oil on panel 45 x 38 cm (17 3/4 x 15 in.) signed lower right PROVENANCE Purchased from Chaite Gallery, Paris, 1950 Private collection, New York We are grateful to the Musee de Cahors Henri-Martin for assistance in cataloging this lot. LOT NOTES The present lot was created in the early 1930's, when Henri Martin began to lean towards pointillism in his painting style. The painting depicts a boy who is preparing to launch his sailboat on the water of pond on a beautiful sunny afternoon. The subject, as well, as the manner of painting, point out at the decoration of the staircase of the building of the City hall of the 5th arrondissement of Paris. In 1932 the administration of the City hall commissioned Henri Martin to create a group of panels to complete the walls of the rotunda staircase on the first floor of the building. As the subject matter for this decoration, the artist chose the Luxembourg Garden and its pond. It is very likely that the present lot was a study for one of the characters (see attached reference image). The composition comprises of five panels, three of which depict the pond with children racing their toy sailboats, and the other two show shaded walkways on the sides. The work was completed in 1935 and still remains today at its original location. PLEASE NOTE If you will be bidding live on auction day, please note that Session I of the Auction (Russian Fine & Decorative Art), starts at 10:00 AM New York Time and goes from Lot 1 through Lot 234. Session II of the Auction (European, American and International Fine & Decorative Art) starts at 2:00 PM New York Time and goes from Lot 500 through Lot 657. We sell approximately 70 lots per hour.