MAURICE SENDAK, (AMERICAN 1927-2012)
GRAPHITE ON THICK VELLUM, 8.5″ X 4.75″, Framed to 13.75″ x 10.25″
A STUNNING DETAILED COVER DRAWING SKETCH FROM “A PERFECT FRIEND”
A stunning piece of original art by Maurice Sendak. This detailed large original sketch of an elephant and a sleeping boy in a woodland scene was rendered in graphite on thick vellum. This is a beautifully highly detailed piece, (most Sendak art is small and is found within books). Perfect for a collector of Maurice Sendak art. The sketch is signed lower right by Sendak and the art is in excellent condition, not examined out of the frame. The art was framed in a blue linen mat with a black rubbed frame to a completed size of 13.75″ x 10.25″. The last images is how the art was used for the cover of the book. ***Please note that last image is for review and reference only, the book is not included with the original artwork.
The frame is overall in great shape but with the frame verso having a small bit of paper loss to the back paper. The art is in excellent condition. This piece is SIGNED by Maurice Sendak lower right.
PROVENANCE: Ex: The collection of Justin Shiller. The art was purchased from an Auction House who was commissioned to sell several original illustrations by Maurice Sendak from the collection of Justin Shiller. A copy of the original bill of sale, lot number and the description will be included with the piece, and will provide both provenance and authenticity for the art.
LITERATURE:
J.G. Schiller, D.M.V. David, L.S. Marcus, Maurice Sendak: A Celebration of the Artist and His Work, New York, 2013, p. 64, illustrated.
Synopsis for the book “A Perfect Friend”: It feels like yesterday that Ben’s mother died — but it’s really been a whole year. Still, he misses her so much the sadness keeps him awake at night. Lying in the dark, the only thing that helps Ben sleep is to think about elephants, those magnificent creatures that his mother loved too. Sooner or later, the thought of their awesome grace always calms him in a way that his sad father, and his two closest friends, never can.
Though Ben feels a particular connection to elephants, just as his mother did, he has only once seen a real one — at a circus when he was very young. So when word spreads of a small one-ring circus coming to town, Ben anxiously awaits its arrival. His anticipation is more than satisfied when he gets to meet Sala — whose name means “Sacred Tree” — the sole survivor of a group of four elephants poisoned by a wicked trainer. With his unusual ability to understand the thoughts of animals, Ben and Sala emerge from the depths of their grief to forge a bond that brings them both comfort and gives Ben renewed hope to face the future.
In his first book for young readers, distinguished author Reynolds Price weaves a powerful story that explores the inevitable and essential balance between joy and sorrow and the fine line between the things most exhilarating and frightening in life.
** Maurice Sendak donated all of his original book illustrations to the Rosenbach Foundation in Philadelphia leaving very little of his original artwork available for private purchase.
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