Original Mermaid Sketch Signed with Initials

Barbier has sketched a multicolored fantasy seascape with a pastel toned mermaid at the center. Drawn on folio sheet with some show through of handwriting (in an unknown hand) on verso. The handwriting shows as soft arcs and fits in with the image. Signed in the middle of the drawing in small letters with date, "GB Aug. 1929." Matted in gray and framed in silver toned wood. Frame measures 20 x 16 7/8 inches and matted drawing measures 13 x 9 1/4 inches. Additional images on request. Barbier is best known for his theater designs, ballet costumes, and particularly for his high fashion illustrations. He led a group of illustrators from the Beaux Arts School known for their flamboyance as much as their art. Barbier also created jewelry, glass and wallpaper design and worked with Erté to design sets and costumes for the Follies Bergére. He died at the height of his career. In 1929, the year he created our drawing, Barbier was the costume designer for the musical "The Street Singer.