Henri Edmond RUDAUX (1870-1927) Michelin : Maquette.... Lot 50

Henri Edmond RUDAUX (1870-1927) Michelin : Maquette. 1911. SIZE: 31 7/8 x 15 7/8 in./81 x 40.2 cm DESCRIPTION: With the death of Ernest Montaut in 1909, his printer, Théodule Mabileau, continued to produce sporting prints with several artists who had been part of the Montaut studio, including Henri Rudaux. This maquette—though its purpose is mysterious—perseveres as a total charmer. A cigar-puffing Bibendum waves his palm at contenders of the 1911 Grand Prix race, who are rendered in hazy pastel hues against a wash of sunset-filtered landscape. But the question remains: what was the artist preparing for? The image appears not to have been used as one of the many published sporting prints which Mabileau printed and which was his specialty. (Art Nouveau; Automobiles; Bicycles)