- 127
José María Sert
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- José María Sert
- La Inteligencia / El progreso industrial / El progreso de la técnica (Intelligence / Industrial progress / Technological Progress)
- oil on canvas
- 65 by 52cm., 25½ by 20½in.
Provenance
Dr Antoni Puigvert
Acquired from the above by the family of the present owner in 1987
Acquired from the above by the family of the present owner in 1987
Literature
Madrid, Palacio de Velázquez, Parque del Retiro, José María Sert 1874-1945, 1987, pp. 192 - 199, the mural discussed
Alberto del Castillo and Alexandre Cirici, José María Sert. Su vida y su obra, Argos, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, 1947, pp. 259-263, the mural discussed
Condition
Original canvas. There is no retouching visible under ultraviolet light. Apart from a few scattered flecks of paint loss, notably to a 2cm tear to the lower centre and a 1cm square spot to the centre of the extreme upper edge, and some light surface dirt, this work is in good overall condition. Held in a simple, narrow, gold-painted moulded plaster and wood frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Painted circa 1935, the present work is an oil study for one of the walls of the Salle du Conseil, the principal meeting room of the newly constructed Headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva.
Sert titled the wall decorations for the room 'What unites and separates the people', intertwining images of industrial progress, the abolition of slavery, scientific discovery and an allegory of Hope with grisailles representing War, Law, Power and Peace.
Sert titled the wall decorations for the room 'What unites and separates the people', intertwining images of industrial progress, the abolition of slavery, scientific discovery and an allegory of Hope with grisailles representing War, Law, Power and Peace.
The present work symbolises the end of hard Labour thanks to Intelligence and Technology, hence the contrast between the cart led by ox and the train at the upper quarter of the composition.
A similar version of this work was executed for the murals in the Rockefeller Centre New York in 1931.