Barber, Samuel. (1910–1981) [Pavlovi?-Barili, Milena. (1909–1945)

Drawing of the Composer as a Young Man

A sensitive original ink drawing of the important American composer as a young man, signed and dated in pencil by the artist: "Milena / 1943." Tape remnants and foxing from a previous framing; overall in very good condition. 11 x 12.5 inches (28 x 31.8 cm).
The Serbian painter and poet Milena Pavlović-Barili is the most notable female artist of Serbian modernism.  She came to the US in the late 30s and did extensive work as a fashion illustrator for Vogue and other magazines.

From the collection of Manfred Ibel, "a young German art student and amateur flute player to whom Barber dedicated the piano concerto. Because from the early 1950s Menotti was drawn more and more into the public arena and the demands of his and Barber’s professional lives limited their time together, Barber welcomed having an available companion with whom he could travel and talk about music and literature. What seemed to draw him to the charismatic Ibel was their 'mutual affinity for the spirit of German Romanticism and culture.' During the summer of 1959 they shared a house on Martha’s Vineyard, and it was at this time Barber wrote the song for flute and piano, Elegy, that in 1962 he orchestrated for the second movement of his piano concerto." (Barbara Heyman, notes for the "Barber & Britten, Music + Festival" October, 2013, University of Arizona) (13197)


Art
Classical Music