GABRIELLA LA TORRE (1894–1976) Circa 1957–58 Set of 9 preparatory studies for the “Les Insectes” series, on tracing paper mounted on paper, unsigned, with certificates Approx. 28 x 22 cm (a few creases and marks) See the original work in Lot 1 and its variations in Lots 3 through 10 Provenance: Collection of the artist’s family. Assembled at the initiative of Fabrizio La Torre, son of Gabriella La Torre, this collection reflects a desire to reconstruct a body of work that brings together the artist’s archives and pieces produced by Hermès. Gabriella La Torre (Rome, 1894–1976) was a porcelain painter. Over several decades, she developed a distinctive body of work inspired in particular by her love of the decorative arts and antique porcelain, whose designs she studied and collected. Beginning in 1957, she collaborated with Hermès, for which she created numerous designs that gave rise to silk scarves, ready-to-wear pieces, and porcelain objects. Her creative vision gave rise to patterns such as “Insects,” “Flowers and Braids,” “Oranges and Lemons,” “Cherries,” “Roosters,” and “Old China.”