Ludwig Bemelmans (Austrian, American 1898-1962). 'Madeline and the Bad Hat', oil on canvas laid to board, signed to LR. Unframed. Note: Primarily a book illustrator, Ludwig Bemelmans was also a painter of impressionist style paintings. As an illustrator, he was known for his "Madeline" series, which began in 1939. Provenance: The Collection of Jerome and Bridget Dobson, Atlanta, GA; acquired from Sotheby's New York, sale 7397, Decmeber 1, 1999, part of Lot 246; commissioned from the artist by Aristotle Onassis in 1953. Note: as documented by Sotheby's in their catalog listing, "In 1953, Aristotle Onassis commissioned Bemelmans to paint 15 mural panels for the playroom on his yacht "The Christina", named for his daughter. The mural were painted after illustrations that appeared in several of the author's Madeline books. Some of the murals differ slightly from the book illustrations; they are Bemelmans' adaptations from the original compositions in "Madeline's Rescue" and "Madeline and the Bad Hat", as the artist often completed more paintings than necessary for a particular book."

Approximate dimensions: painting h. 37.75", w. 22.5"; board h. 39.25", w. 24", d. 1"

Examined under blacklight, no apparent inpainting, overall with stable dryness cracks, abrasions and flaking paint to white molded edge, scratch to upper right - over water fountain, small nick to canvas at upper right and superficial grime seen under raking light. Stable paint layer. Presents well.