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 Museé 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.