Lot 358
Ludwig Bemelmans. Yolanda and the Thief. Gouache on paper and wood, 1945. Image size: 24¼ x 20½", matted and framed to 33 x 29" Bemelmans extended the design of the piece onto an ornate frame. It is signed/ dated in black on the frame's white-wood inset: at left, "'45" and at right, "Bemelmans." Frame has a few dings; a few nail holes on outside edges of frame where an extra frame was formerly attached do not show when the painting is hanging.
This piece was perhaps an initial design for a poster for the film "Yolanda and the Thief." A unique original painting by Madeline's beloved creator who, like so many others, gave Hollywood a whirl - briefly. Working with MGM's fabled Arthur Freed unit, Bemelmans' whimsical story for the film, starring Fred Astair and directed by Vicente Minelli, should have been a hit, but wasn't. Instead, it become a cult classic, involving con men on the lam, a fictional Latin American country, guardian angels, and a well-swindled fortune falling prey to love. In addition to writing the screenplay for the 1945 fantasy/musical/romance, Bemelmans also gave designing the poster a try. This is his attempt and although it never was used for the poster, it is as enchanting as any Bemelmans.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000.
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| Realized $1,800 |
