ROGER BRODERS (1883-1953). ST. HONORÉ LES BAINS. Circa 1928. 42½x24½ inches

ROGER BRODERS (1883-1953)

ST. HONORÉ LES BAINS. Circa 1928.

42½x24½ inches, 108x62¼ cm. Pierre Lafitte, Paris.
Condition B: repaired tears at edges, some into text and image; replaced and overpainted losses at edges of image; abrasions in image; repaired pin holes in corners; colors slightly attenuated; linen trimmed to edges.

In addition to depicting the spa building (St. Honore les Bains was renowned for its therapeutic waters) and the stunning setting in the middle of France, Broders also focuses on the leisure activities and fashions of the elegant people who travel to this resort. The man's sweater is one of three representations in Broders' work of the "W" pattern, which Lepeuve [in his book] suggests was a style knit by his wife. The woman is clothed in the manner of Suzanne Lenglen, the great French tennis star of the 1920s, who popularized sleeveless shirts and skirts for female tennis players, as well as the fashionable bandeau seen here wrapped around the woman's head. This variant, with additional text below the title, is rare.

Broders p. 53, Perry / Broders p. 51, Hillion p. 104, Tennis p. 37-2, Voyage p. 37, Tennis a Affiche np.