Wrestling/ Weightlifting/ Deriaz/ Carpentier. Amazing origin - Lot 332

Wrestling/ Weightlifting/ Deriaz/ Carpentier. Amazing original charcoal drawing of the great Swiss weightlifter and wrestler Maurice Deriaz (April 14, 1885 - July 19, 1974) at the peak of his powers. Crested, with a conquering moustache and a chest close to flight, Deriaz was almost invincible. When the artist Carpentier presented him with this drawing in 1946, he couldn't believe it !!!! It was a kind of resurrection for the 61-year-old athlete, who sent the artist this touching thank-you (handwritten, signed and dated on the work itself): "To Georges Carpentier with my congratulations for his beautiful drawing, and my fondest memory, Maurice Deriaz, Paris October 22, 1946. 62x46, nicely framed. The most famous ambassador of the great family of Helvetian weightlifters, Deriaz, Maurice held several world weightlifting records (one-armed throw 120kg, right snatch 84.5kg, volley 92kg), and was one of the most popular wrestlers, perhaps the best in the world, as "L'Auto" trumpeted in 1913, "with his emperor's mask and his brawny musculature".As a result, he inspired many artists, including Maurice Courtois (1852-1923), whose work can be seen at Baulmes town hall, where he is buried. This 1946 drawing has earned him a new place in posterity. He defeated the likes of Constant le Marin (120kg) and Zbysko, and collected titles and records, far ahead of his famous compatriot Armand Cherpillod.