Lot 1: George Patten, A.R.A. (1801-1865)

George Patten, A.R.A. (1801-1865)
Carlotta Grisi as La Esmeralda at Her Majesty's Theatre, 1847; and Lucile Grahn as Orithia in Les Camp des Amazones at Her Majesty's Theatre, 1847
the first inscribed and dated 'M'dlle "Carlotta Grisi"/as "La Esmeralda"/Her Majesty's Theatre/1847/on entend le bruit d'un tambourin'; the second inscribed and dated '"M'dlle Lucille Grahn"/as "Orithia"/in "Le Camp des Amazones"/Her Majesty's Theatre/1847' (on the artist's labels on the reverse)
oil on panel
8½ x 6 5/8 in. (21.5 x 16.7 cm.)
a pair (2)

The Property of the Late Mrs Silvie Mary Cooke
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.
Between 1843 and 1850, the celebrated Italian composer Cesare Pugni held the esteemed title of "Composer of Ballet Music" at Her Majesty's Theatre in the Haymarket, London. During his life, Pugni composed over 300 original ballet scores, working with the renowned ballet masters in the great theatres across Europe and all the notable ballerinas of the Romantic Era performed, and achieved acclaim, in ballets set to his music. One of his most celebrated works was La Esmeralda, created for Italian ballet star Carlotta Grisi. Choreographed by Jules Perrot, the work was inspired by Victor Hugo's Notre Dame de Paris. Grisi had been spotted by Perrot while dancing in Milan. He became her mentor, introducing her to the world at a performance in London in 1836 and travelling throughout Europe with her as both partner and coach. Her most famous role was that of Giselle, which was partly choreographed by Perrot.
Lucille Grahm was the first internationally renowned Danish ballerina and one of the most popular dancers of the Romantic Era. She was part of the performance Pas de Quartre, a work choreographed by Perrot to music by Pugni, and featuring the four best known ballerinas of the day, Grahn, Grisi, Maria Taglioni and Fanny Cerrito which premiered at Her Majesty's theatre in 1847. Le Camp des Amazons, also known as Orithia was choreographed by Paul Taglioni in collaboration with Pugni. It tells the story of Orithia, the daughter of the Amazon Queen Marpesia, who seeks to avenge the death of her mother at the hands of barbarians with the help of King Sagillus of Scythia.