Lily Elsie in 'The Merry Widow', a fantasy circa 1937

Details

SIR CECIL BEATON, C.B.E. (1904-1980)
Lily Elsie in 'The Merry Widow', a fantasy circa 1937
signed 'Beaton' (lower right)
black ink, watercolour and bodycolour on grey paper
16 x 14 in. (40.7 x 35.5 cm.)

Provenance

Miss Letitia Fearnley-Whittingstall, first cousin to Cecil Beaton, a bequest in the artist's will.
Cecil Beaton Studio Sale, the property of Miss Eileen Hose, Christie's, London, 7 June 1984, lot 50 (part lot).
Michael Parkin Gallery, London, where purchased by the present owner.

Literature

C. Beaton, Scrapbook, London, 1937, p. 50, illustrated.

Special notice

This lot is offered without reserve. No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

Lily Elsie, star of Franz Lehar's musical, The Merry Widow, was Beaton's first theatrical heroine. Of her he wrote, 'Lily Elsie wrapped the whole of my childhood in a haze and since then has never failed to cast off her spell'.

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