IRINA STENBERG (1905-1985) Costume for the character of a mother in the play 'Prière pour les vivants' by Jacques Deval signed in Cyrillic 'I Stenberg' (lower right), inscribed in Cyrillic 'Molba o Zhizni' (lower left), 'Mat' (along lower edge) gouache and pastel on paper executed around 1934-1936 Jacques Deval was born on 27 June 1890 in Paris, France. He was a writer and director, known for Tovaritch (1935), Club de femmes (1936) and Marie Galante (1934). Deval wrote the three-act drama Prière pour les vivants in 1934. The play was frequently performed at MKhAT-2 and, notably, one of the last performances given by MKhAT-2 was Jacques Deval's Prayer for the Living ("Мольба о жизни"); after the performance, the theatre administrator went on stage and read a decree from the Party and the Government announcing the closure of the company in 1936. At the buyer's request, we would be happy to provide a general report on the condition of the lot described above. However, as we are not professional conservators or restorers, we strongly advise prospective buyers to carry out their own inspection or consult a specialist of their choice for a full assessment of the condition of the lot. Descriptions of items provided in the catalogue or by correspondence are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as a definitive assessment. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD 'AS IS' IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE PUBLISHED IN THE CATALOGUE.