Lot 522: Gigolette Chat de Gouttiere.

Gigolette Chat de Gouttiere.
ZIG (Louis Gaudin, ?-1936)

Hand-signed gouache and crayon drawing. Framed.
Though the English-speaking public is far more familiar with the term "gigolo," that word is actually a back-formation from the French word "gigolette," which meant a young woman who frequented public dances, or more to the point, a prostitute. Though less than complimentary in appellation, this long-legged femme-fatale (whose birthmark/tattoo combination indicates a certain potential predisposition), toting an appropriately scruffy alley cat companion, is svelte flapper perfection. Two inclusions in the design remain somewhat unclear: the initials "R.L." that appear beneath the title (which may well be the initials of the performer for which the costume design was intended) and "L'Escalier," which appears verso (perhaps the name of the set piece in which this performer would be appearing).

12 x 18 1/4 in./30.5 x 46.4 cm