[Literature & Art] Laurencin, Marie. (1883 - 1956). Original Color Drawing, possibly related to Les Biches. Lovely signed colored pencil sketch by the French painter and printmaker of two female dancers, clothed in diaphanous dresses of pink and blue, posed on steps reminiscent of those seen in photographs of the 1924 Ballets Russes production of Les Biches (which featured also "The Girl in Blue" as danced by Vera Nemchinova). Undated, signed with the estate stamp in the lower right. Frame Height: 9 1/2 inches (23.7 cm) Frame Width: 9 ¾ Inches (24.7 cm) Sight: 4 ¾ Inches (12.1 cm)x 5 3/8 Inches (13.7 cm).


During the early years of the 20th century, Laurencin was an important figure in the Parisian avant-garde and a member of the circle of Pablo Picasso. She became romantically involved with Picasso's friend, the poet Guillaume Apollinaire, and has often been identified as his muse. Later, in 1923, Laurencin was commissioned by Serge Diaghilev to provide costume and set designs for Bronislava Nijinska's ballet Les Biches. From 1924 Laurencin also worked on designing stage sets and she produced various stage designs for Diaghilev's Ballets Russes and the set for the "Comédie Francaise" in 1928. Though undated, it is possible the present undated sketch is related to one of these productions, perhaps in particular, Les Biches.