Barthé had entries in the Harmon Foundation’s juried exhibits in 1929, 1930, and 1933, as well as the cooperative show at Delphic Studios in 1935. Maasai Warrior was one of 18 works included in the Delphic Studios show, and was illustrated in the catalog (a photocopy of the original booklet accompanies the work). Excerpt from a letter written by the original owner, Ruth Wildau : “In 1968 (I was 14), my parents and I traveled to Jamaica where we met Richmond Barthé. He had a lovely estate where he grew orchids and created all kinds of art. I think the name..was Isola. It was such a charmed afternoon. We left without buying anything, but this was the beginning of a friendship between my parents and Barthé that would last years. In 1985, we went to LA to see ... Richmond Barthé. He was not well at the time..his eyes were indeed the same, and I remembered his hands and how beautiful they were.” (a photocopy of the letter accompanies the work). Lot 490
Head of a Young Woman is made from dental stone, which is a stronger, denser derivative of plaster manufactured from gypsum under pressure. In it’s raw form, it is white or yellowish, so Barthé added tint directly to the mixture before casting. Dental Stone is preferred to traditional plaster in some cases because it mixes and pours thinner, reducing bubbles, is easier to make smooth details, and when cured, is stronger.
Lot 489
16