Rare original watercolor study of the beloved protagonist of Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince, a timeless masterpiece that has transcended generations and remains the most widely read work of fiction in history, having sold over 150 million copies over the course of the past 80 years. One page, pencil and watercolor on American ‘Fidelity Onion Skin’ paper, the sketch contains three pencil studies of the Little Prince: three portraits and two full figure drawings, the most complete of which is finished in water colors and depicts the Little Prince standing alone in a long grey cloak with his iconic curly, flaxen yellow hair. With light brushstrokes covering the right portion of the page testing the colors of the prince’s face, hair and cloak. Saint-Exupéry likely based the prince’s looks on his own appearance as a youth. As a child, friends and family often referred to him as le Roi-Soleil (the Sun King) for his golden curly hair. Land Morrow Lindbergh, the young, golden-haired son of fellow aviator Charles Lindbergh and his wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, whom Saint-Exupéry met during an overnight stay at their Long Island home in 1939, may have also served as a source of inspiration. Saint-Exupéry was known to go through numerous drafts of his work, often staying up into the early hours of the morning with a carafe of black coffee making revisions. The original 140-page autograph manuscript of The Little Prince, along with various drafts and trial drawings, were acquired from the author’s close friend Silvia Hamilton in 1968 by curator Herbert Cahoon of the Pierpont Morgan Library (now The Morgan Library & Museum) in Manhattan. It is the only known surviving handwritten draft of the complete work. The present watercolor sketch has not appeared on the market in 35 years, previously sold by Sotheby’s in 1989. In fine condition. Triple matted and framed. The page measures 10.75 inches by 8.25 inches. The entire piece measures 18 inches by 15 inches. Original drawings and watercolors of The Little Prince are rare.
