Yves Saint Laurent

A sketch of a woman. 1955. Signed "Y Mathieu St. Laurent" and dated "55" in the lower right corner. Ink and watercolor on notebook paper. Framed. Irregular edges, with remnants of spiral bound notebook along right edge, a short crease to margin, paper lightly toned; together with: HOGENBOOM, MAURICE. A photograph of YSL.1964.

This charming drawing, a portrait of an elegantly dressed young woman seen perhaps in a box at the theatre, was made when Saint Laurent was eighteen years old and attending fashion school in Paris. It shows how his artistic style had developed over that formative year (see lot 233 for a drawing executed in 1954) with its quickly yet confidently executed lines. Saint Laurent gives considerable attention to his subject's clothing, with her gloved hand, earring, and two bows. He signed the drawing "Y Mathieu St. Laurent," giving his full family name. The "Mathieu" ceased to appear in his signature around 1957.

Provenance: Gift of Yves Saint Laurent to Fernando Sanchez (1935-2006), thence by descent to the current owner.

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