Bahman Mohassess

Collection of the Artist

Private Collection, Tehran

Thence by descent

Sotheby’s is delighted to offer a rare and unseen work by a pioneering figure in the Iranian art world, Bahman Mohassess. Mohassess was one of the greatest masters, paving the trail for a multitude of emerging contemporary artists via his approach to a multitude of genres and mediums he explored. It was his native town Lahijan, an area on the Caspian coast which initially inspired him to absorb and depict his surroundings, leading him to paint his renowned Animal series comprising fish, birds, lambs and others. A humanist and an animal lover, his works were often a metaphor of the Iranian society’s brutality and humanity’s mistreatment of nature, a very topical subject in today’s modern world. He used his sombre characters as illustrated puppets, a visual reflection of his personal disappointment in humanity.

Mohassess’ inspiration was wide ranging; both an artist and a poet, he admired Picasso, Henry Moore and Alberto Giacometti, interpreting them through the muscularity of forms seen in his works. He translated into Persian the works of Malaparte, Pirandello, Calvino, Ionesco and Genet and directed several plays. His artistic oeuvre highlights his interest in theatre, mythology, tragic heroes and cinema. The artist tried several attempts to establish himself as an artist, however he thought his works were overlooked by the Italian milieu until later. Mohassess felt greatly restricted by his Iranian identity, this cultural constraint plagued his career and manifested itself in the isolated characters depicted in his works. In response to his cumulative frustration, similar to his British contemporary, Francis Bacon, often paralleled to Mohassess, he methodically destroyed a large body of work after publishing an extensive Catalogue Raisonée – explaining why his market is so restricted and availability of his works so scarce.

His early compositions followed the archetypal rules initiated by Cubist artists. However, when further developing his style, Mohassess began to abandon a formal perspective in his compositions, successfully creating more emotionally charged paintings. This beautiful work presented here affords a window into the isolated nature of Mohassess' disposition with an owl, perched or frozen, wide eyed in a vacuum – wallpaper in the background, there is nothing to anchor the subject. It effectively presents the unique method of expression embodied in his works, a striking contrast between the bold contrasting brushstrokes against a delicate background of intricately patterned wallpaper – all embodying his characteristically subdued palette. It also represents Mohassess’ love for theatrical displays; the use of wallpaper collage is reminiscent of theatre stage sets and the owl is his featured character on stage.

The significance of this work can be highlighted by the fact that the owner’s father, a dear friend of Mr. Ebrahim Golestan – collected the work on his advice (amongst several other Iranian modern masters).

Mohassess never sought to create beauty; rejecting it, he believed in the beauty in ugliness instead. He strived to revolutionise artistic trends, portraying a realistic and raw aesthetic. It is perhaps this rejection of the accepted norms which fueled his imagination and inspiration, establishing him as a true master of Iran’s modern era..

We are delighted to be able to present this work here, a distinguished piece – an important work by Mohassess that has remained in the same family collection until now.