The Piano Player
Felix Vallotton (1865-1925) woodcut The Piano Player, 1896, signed in blue crayon, numbered 35, from the edition of about 100. Plate IV of Instruments de Musique. Reference: Vallotton and Goerg 174. In good condition apart from an unobtrusive printing crease at right, occasional pale staining in margin, with full margins, conservation matted, 9 x 7 1/8 inches, the sheet 12 7/8 x 10.
Provenance: Sold at Christie’s New York, May 3, 1999.
A fresh, clearly printed impression of this striking composition, printed on cream wove paper.
Vallotton was the Fin de Siecle master of the modernist woodcut, using just a few lines to create a readable and delightful image. Nowhere is this ability more evident than in The Piano.
The pianist portrayed is Raoul Pugno, a well-known turn of the century musician.