His daughter Marguerite is a young adult who becomes tired of sitting. In 1920, Henri sees Henriette dancing on a stage. She is about 19 years old and plays violin and piano. She becomes the preferred muse of Henri and is warmly welcomed in his family. She likes performing, accepts the nude and takes some pleasure to dress in the costumes of odalisques.
Henri encourages his muse to develop her musical skills and observes her in this quiet occupation. On February 3 in London, Sotheby's sells La Leçon de Piano, oil on canvas 65 x 81 cm painted in 1923, lot 14 estimated £ 12M.
The atmosphere is a family scene. The two very young brothers of Henriette are listening to the music. Walls, furniture, clothing and carpet offer the studies of colors that constitute the signature style of the artist.
Henriette will not play at concert. In the following year, she is caught in stage frights. Henri, ever friendly with his young protégée, encourages her to paint. The morning session, oil on canvas 74 x 61 cm, was sold for $ 19,2M including premium by Sotheby's on May 7, 2014.
I invite you to watch the teaser video shared by Sotheby's to announce the Piano lesson.
SOLD for £ 10.8M including premium