RENE LEVERD (1872-1938) GLADIATOR. 61 1/2x46 1/2 inches, 156x118 cm. E. Bougard, Paris. Condition B+: repaired tears in margins and image; unobtrusive vertical and horizontal folds. Pedaling on a hillside path in Brittany, a young peasant girl with a basket full of produce is zooming past a local policeman. It seems she has stolen a rabbit and is making her get-a-way. The rotund constable is not eager to pursue her on her speedy vehicle so he just wags an amused finger at her. Curiously, Gladiator used the conceit of outrunning law-enforcement officials on several of their posters from this era.
