Artcurial recently announced a one-time auction dedicated to the Fratellini clowns, to mark the inaugural week of its winter sales in Monte Carlo on January 18 to 20, 2016.As BLOUIN ARTINFO reported on December 17, the auction house is organizing a week of winter dedicated to luxury items, including jewelry, watches, and Hermès Vintage. The extra auction will gather around 100 lots that previously belonged to artistes and performers from the Italian circus and will coincide with the 40th edition of the Festival International du Cirque de Monaco.The three brothers, Paul, François, and Albert, gained a worldwide reputation between 1909 and 1940. Travelling around Europe, and based in Paris at the Medrano Circus between 1915 and 1924, the Fratellinis (which means “little brothers” in Italian) revolutionized the existing tradition of clowning and reinvented the personalities of traditional characters.They outgrew the short-sketch format and performed full-length shows, as long as 45 minutes, at large Parisian music halls, and acquired a fame that had before then not been bestowed upon clowns. Some of the notable performers that have been influenced by the Fratellini clowns include Charles Dullin, Jacques Copeau, André Antoine, Firmin Gémier, and other comedians from the Comédie Française.They developed a following of adoring fans who lapped up books, illustrations, posters, and advertising material. They were also popular among artists in Paris – the Fratellinis were known to have inspired painters such as Pablo Picasso, André Derain, and Raoul Dufy.The sale will include paintings, drawings, and engravings. Most of the works have been personally dedicated by the artists, including Joseph Faverot, Jules Monge, Pierre Lacroix, Marcel Prangey, Bernard Naudin, Fernanrd Gravey, Edmond Heuzé, Marcel Vion, Fernand Fernel, and others.The collection will also include photographic documents related to the Fratellinis, the Pierrots de Wilette, the Cirque d’Hiver, the Cirque Medrano, and other travelling circus venues that included Fratellinis.Artcurial will also present original posters, programs, and rare decorative objects.Personal items belonging to the three Fratellinis on sale include stage costumes, accessories, and musical instruments.Tribute to the Circus of Monaco: Fratellini’s sale will take place on January 20, 2016, at Yacht Club de Monte Carlo, Monaco.
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