Liane de Lancy and Berthe Fontana at the Drag Races, Auteuil, 30 March, 1911

The photographs by Jacque Henri Lartigue offered in lots 6 and 70 are vintage prints originally from the collection of the artist’s late wife Florette. Lartigue, supported by Florette, donated his entire archive to the French state in 1979 -- an initiative then without precedent in France -- and together founded the Association des Amis de Jacques Henri Lartigue [AAJHL]. Prior to this donation, Lartigue and Florette jointly selected the photographs that they would keep, which at times involved removing prints from various albums. After the artist's death, these photographs became Florette's personal collection

The subjects of the present lot are Liane de Lancy (born Liane Doré in 1876) a well-known Belle Époque courtesan, and Berthe Fontana.