Mihály Munkácsy
Franz Liszt Asleep in an Armchair
Pencil on paper. 30 x 22 cm.
Signed and dated upper right: Munkácsy 1886.
Above this a dedication to one "madame la comtesse Gene(...)".
Liszt stayed at Colpach Palace in Luxembourg from 6th-20th July 1886, which was under the ownership of the painter Mihály Munkacsy at the time. Liszt tended to get up at around 4 am every morning, which meant that he often became very tired throughout the day and was overcome by sleep, even whilst playing his favourite card game, whist. He always insisted on an afternoon nap, and this presumably provided Munkácsy with the perfect opportunity to carry out this sketch in July 1886.
This particular image is of historical significance for being the last portrait of the famous composer made prior to his death. The composer left Luxembourg for Bayreuth on 21st July and when he arrived there he was already feverish. Aside from his visits to performances of Parsifal and Tristan on the 23rd and 25th of July, he was not to leave his sickbed. Liszt's heart stopped beating on 31st July 1886.
Slightly yellowed, in otherwise good condition. Framed under glass.
Provenance
Duc de Noilles, Château de Maintenon (inscribed to verso). - Collection Musicale Andre Meyer. - South German private collection.