“Politely But Firmly Escorting the Guests.” From the series of humorous drawings (1887–1892) “Court Celebrations” (“FÊTE À LA COUR”)
“Politely But Firmly Escorting the Guests.” From the series of humorous drawings (1887–1892) “Court Celebrations” (“FÊTE À LA COUR”)
Russia, St. Petersburg
1889
Cardboard; graphite pencil, watercolor, white gouache
16.2 x 10.6 cm
An interior scene is depicted on a rectangular, vertically oriented sheet with rounded corners. Generals are shown in various poses with their backs to the viewer around a lavishly set table with food and drinks. In the foreground, three elderly court attendants (footmen) in pink liveries march in a row with their backs turned to the viewer. In the upper center of the sheet, the series title is written in black ink: “FÊTE À LA COUR” (translated from French as: Court Celebrations). In the upper-right corner, there is an inscription in German executed in black ink: “Die Gäste werden - höflichst - aber // mit NachdrŭcK // hinaŭsgegangen” (translated from German as: Politely but firmly escorting the guests).
The author's signature and date are located in the lower-right corner: Зichy 89.
54MCK106/ИЗО