LUDWIG BEMELMANS, (AMERICAN 1895-1962)
Large Watercolor with Gouache
FRAMED TO 24.25″ X 21.25″
17″ X 14″ (Sight)
Original Charming Large Watercolor Painting titled “High World”. SIGNED lower right by Bemelmans, “Bemelmans” who included a handwritten annotation “High World”
LUDWIG BEMELMANS.
“High World.” Original Watercolor Painting by Ludwig Bemelmans. Signed lower right “Bemelmans”, captioned in lower left by Bemelmans “High World”. This watercolor is the FEATURED concept illustration for the full two page drawing used in the book, “The High World” and depicts a spectacular rendering of small alpine house with a chimney, mountains in the background, surrounded by evergreen trees with a brilliant sun in the sky. Present newly double matted framed and glazed using UV glass, in a lovely gold toned frame. A spectacular charming drawing depicting Bemelmans’ native Tyrol country. The art has slight tiny pin dots toning, evenly speckled on the background, else in excellent condition. Please note original art by Bemelman’s has become highly collectible, with his originals of this size going for $10,000 and up (and original concept pieces from his books commanding prices in the $25,000 plus range)
Ludwig Bemelman’s ‘The High World’ (1954) is a fascinating novel of alpine life from the area of the Tirol where he grew up.
PROVENANCE: The art was purchased from an Auction House who was commissioned to sell several original paintings by Ludwig Bemelmans. A copy of the invoice and lot description will be included with the artwork, and will provide both provenance and authenticity.
BIOGRAPHY:
Bemelmans, Ludwig: Beloved by three generations of young readers, Ludwig Bemelmans is best known for his Madeline books. What many may not know is that Bemelmans, born in the Austrian Tyrol, considered himself more an artist than an author. Bemelmans began writing in 1934 with the introduction of Hansi, his first of 15 children’s books. His diverse language base gave him a unique and quirky style of writing that children adored. His watercolor illustrations belied a simplistic style that partnered well with his sophisticated verse. Until his death in 1962, he wrote an average of one to two books per year. In addition to his juvenile fiction, his literary works included screenplays, adult novels, and stories. Bemelmans was a contributor to Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, and the New Yorker, among others. His book Madeline’s Rescue was awarded the prestigious Caldecott Medal in 1953. As an artist, Ludwig Bemelmans designed a Broadway set, completed several Hollywood projects, illustrated for the cover of the New Yorker, and painted several murals. His art can be found at New York’s Carlyle Hotel, the Museé National d’Art in Paris, France, and in the Metropolitan Museum in New York. His character Madeline, the spunky heroine of Bemelmans’ classic five book series, celebrates her 75th anniversary this year.
HI-RES IMAGES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
****THIS PIECE IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING***
