Karl Lagerfeld (1938-2019) - Authentische XL (A3) Modeskizze

There are drawings that document a craft. And there are drawings that immerse you in the visual world of a genius. Karl Lagerfeld was not only one of the most influential fashion designers of the 20th and early 21st centuries – he was a obsessive draftsman. Long before a design found its way into the studio, he lived on paper. With pencil, ink, sometimes watercolor. Quickly, precisely, incorruptible. Lagerfeld drew daily – not as a means to an end, but as an autonomous artistic practice. His sketches were eagerly sought by collectors, museums, and fashion houses alike, because they showed what finished collections conceal: the immediate moment of the idea. The subject shows a feminine figure in frontal view, wrapped in a floor-length masterpiece. The long-sleeved garment captivates with a high, closed collar as well as cuffs adorned with opulent, stylized floral and cloud motifs. These dynamic ornaments recur in a wide, voluminous border along the hem of the skirt, bestowing the design with a virtually floating lightness. The appearance is crowned by a striking, sharply pointed headpiece, from which a flowing, transparent veil elegantly falls over the shoulders. The rapid, confident lines in black are complemented by delicate light-gray shading that lends the voluminous fabric a lively plasticity. Only the bright red accent on the lips breaks the otherwise stringent monochrome of the sketch – a characteristic stylistic device that immediately captivates the viewer’s gaze. The work comes directly from the renowned Maison Lesage in Pantin, France – and thus from the inner creative orbit of Chanel. Maison Lesage is no ordinary address. Founded in 1858, since 2002 part of Chanel Métiers d’Art, the house is regarded as the world's most important embroidery atelier. Generations of couturiers – from Schiaparelli to Balenciaga, from Dior to Saint Laurent – have relied on Lesage. For Lagerfeld, Lesage was for decades an indispensable creative partner: the most elaborate embroidery of the Chanel haute couture collections, season after season, arose in the Pantin ateliers. No house stood closer to the Chanel cosmos. And this work comes from that house – directly. On the back of the sheet lies the original seal (Ref. KL3 39/12). The frame has at this point been provided with a specially integrated viewing window, so the document remains accessible at all times without opening the frame. A gallery certificate for the complete provenance from Maison Lesage accompanies the work in addition. Comparable drawings with identical and direct Lesage provenance have been offered internationally at leading auction houses with estimated prices of USD 10,000–15,000. The present work also impresses with its exceptional coloristic quality – the warm watercolor wash and the decisive two-tone combination of black ink and red accents clearly set it apart from the bulk of comparable, purely graphic pencil sketches. For collectors who want to keep the Chanel universe, the aesthetics of the Lagerfeld era, or the history of haute couture close at hand – this sketch is a rare document from the center of this world. +++ Details about the work & shipping +++ Artist: Atelier Maison Lesage, Karl Lagerfeld (German, 1933–2019) Title: KL3 39/12 - Fashion Sketch Year: c. 2015 Technique: Mixed media on paper (ink) Sheet size: approx. 29 × 40 cm (A3) Signature: Signed “Karl Lagerfeld,” bottom right. Provenance: Directly acquired from Maison Lesage, 20 Rue du Cheval Blanc, 93500 Pantin, France · Gallery certificate of provenance Condition: Very good. The sheet shows minimal, atelier-immanent creases that were already present during creation at Maison Lesage and do not constitute any post-transport damage. No foxing, no color loss, no restorations. Framing: The sheet is grommeted within a mat and professionally framed under UV-protective glass. On the back is a viewing window that allows a view of the official confirmation and the seal. Shipping: The work will be framed and carefully packaged for shipping. Due to the UV-protective glass, shipping will be with appropriate protective packaging.

Estimate:£7,603.52

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